Thanksgiving is upon us, and where are your thoughts? Food? Family? Football? Antacids? Well, mine are all over the place! I have an extremely full month ahead of me, beginning with Thanksgiving. Steve's birthday is a few days after, then I will be planning a very large party for Serena. It wasn't my idea at all. It wasn't even Serena's idea! Let me begin at the beginning...
Serena was born 2 days after Christmas. While we've never forgotten her birthday, we can't always have a "friend" party because of the holiday. We not only can't find the time to do it, but we don't like asking friends to bring gifts when they should be saving money for their Christmas giving. We tried "gift-free" parties in January, and even had a swim party once. However, we now play basketball every Saturday in winter, so the non-birthday parties continue once again.
There have been a lot of social issues in Serena's class this year. The girls just don't seem to all get along, and it's silly really, because individually, the girls are nice to be around for the most part. Hello, they're 11 and 12. What do you expect, right? Well, Serena has always been a peacemaker. From the time the child could talk, she was always trying to smooth over problems for others, helping other kids to share, and trying to include other kids. Sometimes her efforts to be a peacemaker are not only unnoticed, but they are unwanted by those who would rather be unkind! Welcome to the real world, dear one. Anyway, we found a solution, we hope.
I had really been praying about this situation at school, since even some parents were getting overly involved and actually causing more problems with the girls! The situation was getting out of hand, and Serena was really feeling pressured and didn't want to go to school. In fact, we had some serious talks about finding a new avenue for her education. So, something had to be done, and I was talking to God about it daily. One day, I believe He gave me a challenge. "Why not invite ALL of those girls to a party?" What? Are you kidding me? World War 3 at my house? My basement is not set up for parties anymore! What about all the fighting parents, let alone the girls? Will there be mayhem? I have too much going on and what about cost? Are you sure this is a good idea? That was my response, and I'm sure you moms can relate!
I'm sure now that God is behind this party. When I mentioned the idea to Serena, she said, "I think it's a good idea, mom. Maybe it will show them that we can be a team and not be so divided. No one will be left out, for once!" Well, except for all the boys. Forget that!! So with my daughter's blessing, we set to planning a non-birthday party. Not only did we not want people bringing gifts, but a classmate's religion prohibits it, so she even gave up the birthday idea so she could come. Wow, is all I could say to that. Good girl.
Serena handed out her invitations at school and had mixed reactions. She was very hurt and disappointed when 2 of her friends suggested she not give out certain invitations and not to tell her mom and no one would ever know. Really? And these are your friends?? Grr..Serena stood firm and said, "everyone is invited. Everyone. and how do you think those girls would feel?" She later told me, "I should have asked for their invitations back just to show them how really mean that was." So, the girls replied, 'well, i just might not be able to come." the other one said, "i will hide in your room the whole time'. Serena just said, "If you don't want to come, don't come", as her heart cracked just a little bit more.
It makes me more than angry what has been going on, and yet all I can do is just continue to help Serena be who she is no matter what. She told me she may lose a couple friends over this party, and we both agreed that real friends will let you be yourself, and maybe it's not such a big loss if that were to happen. I know how much it hurts her, and that's the part with which I struggle.
So, a party. Lots of cheet-os, punch, and noise. Lots of girls. Some oil. Some water. Some fire. Sounds like fun, right?? This whole month has been a wild ride and we're just getting started. I can't wait to see where we're going next!!
Monday, November 21, 2011
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
The Sweet Spot
It's that time again where I tell you about the latest book I'm reading! I always give you that warning to choose to tune out. Some people just aren't readers. That's okay with me. Maybe you're a talker, a doer, a street smart kinda person. It's all good, but I gotta have me some books!
So, this title jumped out and grabbed me, as well as the beautiful golden retrievers on the cover...."Cure For the Common Life", by none other than Max Lucado. I just started the book a few days ago, and already I'm thinking of my life in a whole new way.
I get all tangled up in my daily life, as far as my chores, my errands, the lives of my girls, where we have to be, what we have to do, what's due, what's late, what stinks, and on and on. Somewhere in all of the whoopty doo is my life. Somewhere in there is a gifted woman, trying to get out. That woman is me!
I met her today, as she answered some of the pertinent questions in this book. Here are just a few:
1. What have I always done well?
2. What did I enjoy doing as a child?
3. What is it that creates pure energy in me?
4. What do I love to do?
5. What makes me say, "YES! This is what I was made for!!"
It forced me to take a minute and take some inventory. It's been awhile since I've thought about those things. Somewhere in my wifely motheringness, I forgot there was someone else in there. Someone who was created for a specific purpose. Am I out there being "me"? According to Max, the world misses out if I'm not.
Without quoting the whole chapter, I think it's important to understand that my "being me" has less to do with pleasing me and more to do with pleasing God. We are created to glorify Him, not ourselves. Having said that, picture 3 circles. One says, "My everyday life", another says, "God's Glory", and the last one says, "My strengths". Where these three circles intersect is called your "Sweet Spot", where all of these things come together and work as one.
This is what Max defines as the "cure for the common life". When we realize that our uniqueness, being used in order to glorify God in our everyday lives,using the gifts we were given, is all we need to live our lives to the fullest.
I hope I've intrigued you enough to give this book a try. One thing I always do when starting a new book is I always start a notebook. In it, I answer the questions presented in the book, write down the scriptures, and copy down pertinent quotes or ideas. It helps me to take the knowledge a bit further and actually use it.
It was no surprise that I used that practice as the answer to one of my questions, "what do you love to do?" Read and study!! Maybe I'm meant to be a perpetual scholar. Who knows? Maybe by the last chapter of Max's book I'll have it all figured out!!
If you're a "bookie" too, share your favorite titles with me!
So, this title jumped out and grabbed me, as well as the beautiful golden retrievers on the cover...."Cure For the Common Life", by none other than Max Lucado. I just started the book a few days ago, and already I'm thinking of my life in a whole new way.
I get all tangled up in my daily life, as far as my chores, my errands, the lives of my girls, where we have to be, what we have to do, what's due, what's late, what stinks, and on and on. Somewhere in all of the whoopty doo is my life. Somewhere in there is a gifted woman, trying to get out. That woman is me!
I met her today, as she answered some of the pertinent questions in this book. Here are just a few:
1. What have I always done well?
2. What did I enjoy doing as a child?
3. What is it that creates pure energy in me?
4. What do I love to do?
5. What makes me say, "YES! This is what I was made for!!"
It forced me to take a minute and take some inventory. It's been awhile since I've thought about those things. Somewhere in my wifely motheringness, I forgot there was someone else in there. Someone who was created for a specific purpose. Am I out there being "me"? According to Max, the world misses out if I'm not.
Without quoting the whole chapter, I think it's important to understand that my "being me" has less to do with pleasing me and more to do with pleasing God. We are created to glorify Him, not ourselves. Having said that, picture 3 circles. One says, "My everyday life", another says, "God's Glory", and the last one says, "My strengths". Where these three circles intersect is called your "Sweet Spot", where all of these things come together and work as one.
This is what Max defines as the "cure for the common life". When we realize that our uniqueness, being used in order to glorify God in our everyday lives,using the gifts we were given, is all we need to live our lives to the fullest.
I hope I've intrigued you enough to give this book a try. One thing I always do when starting a new book is I always start a notebook. In it, I answer the questions presented in the book, write down the scriptures, and copy down pertinent quotes or ideas. It helps me to take the knowledge a bit further and actually use it.
It was no surprise that I used that practice as the answer to one of my questions, "what do you love to do?" Read and study!! Maybe I'm meant to be a perpetual scholar. Who knows? Maybe by the last chapter of Max's book I'll have it all figured out!!
If you're a "bookie" too, share your favorite titles with me!
Monday, November 14, 2011
Unpredictable Me
Call me indecisive. Call me impulsive. I call me "unpredictable". Always keepin' 'em guessin at what I'm going to do next. The 'em is mostly my family, because unpredictable me in other circles would just be "crazy lady", so I don't go there.
So, here are some of the "strange, but true" things I have done recently that showcase my unpredictability. Names and places have been changed to protect the innocent.
1. I met a stray cat the other day. I watched him with my binoculars awhile to try to figure out what he was eating. I decided to take the poor dear some chicken. As I walked toward him, he took off like a you know what out of you know where. I called after him,"kitty! kitty!" He was having none of that. So, I named him. He is now "Bill Murray Slash Stripes." Or just "Slash" for short.
The other day he brought his friend "Bootsy Boots". I fed that one some ham. Did I mention I'm not that into cats? I am a dog person. Those kitties don't have a future here at all. I almost-never-unless-i'm-sneaking feed strays.
2. After watching a TLC show last night, I dressed up as one of the reality characters and made a spectacle out of myself. My kids cracked up. I cracked up. Steve gave me "the look". He didn't get it. Apparently I'm not as funny to him.
3. I had already purchased my mom's birthday gift, but decided to stop at the dollar store on the way to her house. We needed some "unmentionables", but on the way, I saw a cool decorated box. I picked it up, and proceeded to fill it with all kinds of neat stuff I found. Happy Birthday again, Mom. She's lucky I'm unpredictale, wouldn't you say?
4. I have been doing push ups every day, and I keep pushing myself to do more and more. Well, we were having sort of a push up party in the living room one night and I decided to try to do a "clap" pushup. I didn't do one. I did four!! I should probably add that I was doing a modified push up. But still....back flips may be next. I'm pretty sure I can do a triple sow kow (phonetically speaking) too. Just gotta get me some skates.
Have fun being all predictable, but once in awhile, just let it rip. Keep 'em guessing. And never ever tell anyone what you're really doing. Then you'll always be a big surprise. Or a shock. Oh well, have fun either way!
So, here are some of the "strange, but true" things I have done recently that showcase my unpredictability. Names and places have been changed to protect the innocent.
1. I met a stray cat the other day. I watched him with my binoculars awhile to try to figure out what he was eating. I decided to take the poor dear some chicken. As I walked toward him, he took off like a you know what out of you know where. I called after him,"kitty! kitty!" He was having none of that. So, I named him. He is now "Bill Murray Slash Stripes." Or just "Slash" for short.
The other day he brought his friend "Bootsy Boots". I fed that one some ham. Did I mention I'm not that into cats? I am a dog person. Those kitties don't have a future here at all. I almost-never-unless-i'm-sneaking feed strays.
2. After watching a TLC show last night, I dressed up as one of the reality characters and made a spectacle out of myself. My kids cracked up. I cracked up. Steve gave me "the look". He didn't get it. Apparently I'm not as funny to him.
3. I had already purchased my mom's birthday gift, but decided to stop at the dollar store on the way to her house. We needed some "unmentionables", but on the way, I saw a cool decorated box. I picked it up, and proceeded to fill it with all kinds of neat stuff I found. Happy Birthday again, Mom. She's lucky I'm unpredictale, wouldn't you say?
4. I have been doing push ups every day, and I keep pushing myself to do more and more. Well, we were having sort of a push up party in the living room one night and I decided to try to do a "clap" pushup. I didn't do one. I did four!! I should probably add that I was doing a modified push up. But still....back flips may be next. I'm pretty sure I can do a triple sow kow (phonetically speaking) too. Just gotta get me some skates.
Have fun being all predictable, but once in awhile, just let it rip. Keep 'em guessing. And never ever tell anyone what you're really doing. Then you'll always be a big surprise. Or a shock. Oh well, have fun either way!