Ahhhh, my second post for the day. I will admit, it feels nice to actually be writing again. Granted, I'm not the best at it, and I'm still getting used to put everything out there for anybody to read, however; this challenge is really helping me to open up and to see things in a different light. My goodness did I need that!
This post was actually a little challenging because it has to do with something that I typically don't think about, well....really ever. I guess I truly have never thought it about much. Today's gratitude post is about transportation. Transportation?? What in the world?! I guess I always took it for granted because it's just there. I've never not been able to get where I needed to get to.
I'm obviously going to start with the most obvious. Walking!!! The ability to use my legs to get to where I need to go. Like I said, I've never really thought about it because it's never been an issue for me. With that being said, I could not imagine not having that ability, and my heart truly breaks for the people who aren't able to use their legs. Of course, they have amazing capabilities out there to get you from place to place, wheelchairs, prosthetics, what have you. I can honestly say that this is something that I will pay more attention to. Something that I NEED to pay more attention to.
Your body is your vessel. I know that when you're growing up you hear your family preach to you how important it is that you take care of your body because you only get one. "Be sure to eat healthy, be sure you exercise, be sure you take care of yourself!" And it's so SO true! I guess the older you get, the more you realize it. I need to start taking more time out of my day to treat myself better. After all, I want to be around for my kids, my grand kids, and if I'm lucky, my great grand kids.
Not only am I thankful for my ability to walk, but I am also thankful for the many other ways there are to get to and fro. Could you even begin to imagine how you would feel if you were able to see the first car made and working? The first airplane to fly? The ability to get us from one state to another, let alone one country to another?? UNBELIEVABLE!! Technology can truly be amazing!
Whatever mode of transportation you are thankful for, be sure to utilize it, and be sure to be thankful for the little ways you can travel. The walking, running, skipping, jumping. Be thankful that the good Lord has blessed us with so many abilities to use our bodies and our brains for anything we feel that we can do!
Saturday, July 25, 2015
Something I Do Every Day...
Sorry about not being able to post yesterday. I was hoping to catch up on some much needed rest after this crazy week. I will say that I was able to get a bit more sleep last night than I have all week, so I am absolutely thankful for that! So, my plan is to write a post this afternoon and my second post this evening to be all caught up!
My post this afternoon will be about something that I'm grateful for that I do every day. Which should be so easy right? Well, I am blessed to say that when I sat down to think about it, I was thankful for MORE than one thing that I'm able to do everyday! It was actually a little hard to narrow it down to just one. Of course, I am thankful that I am alive, and that I have my health, family, and friends. I am thankful for my wonderful, loving husband, and my full of life, keep every day interesting, children!
The one thing I am thankful for that I get to do everyday is our "Peak and Pit" of the day. Okay, okay, I would be fibbing if I told you we did this EVERY day, because we don't. I mean, life gets busy and sometimes we just aren't able to sit around a dining room table for dinner and are eating on the go in between practices, or traveling. But, when we sit down to dinner most nights, we do what we call our "Peak and Pit" of the day. Every one of us goes around the table and tells the rest about the best part of our day, and why. Then we follow with the lowest part of our day, and why. I enjoy it because it gives me a look into my kids lives and lets me know what makes them tick. What makes their smiles so much bigger, and the little things I would never guess, that make their hearts break.
I love that my kids are comfortable enough to talk to my husband and I about any issues that they are having or anything that makes them smile. I honestly believe the saying that I heard once, and it will be loosely translated here, "Listen to the little things that your children say, because someday the little things become the big things." I'm not perfect at that, and I know most people aren't. It's hard to listen to EVERY thing that comes out of those sweet little mouths! Ha! But I try with all of my might, to make eye contact with them and really hold on to their attention when they do share things with me, because I don't want them to feel that they can't tell me anything.
I am truly blessed to feel comfortable in knowing that my kids can talk to us about anything. That's all I've ever wanted in life, is for my kids not to feel like they have to hide things from their parents. I want us to be their safe place always.
My post this afternoon will be about something that I'm grateful for that I do every day. Which should be so easy right? Well, I am blessed to say that when I sat down to think about it, I was thankful for MORE than one thing that I'm able to do everyday! It was actually a little hard to narrow it down to just one. Of course, I am thankful that I am alive, and that I have my health, family, and friends. I am thankful for my wonderful, loving husband, and my full of life, keep every day interesting, children!
The one thing I am thankful for that I get to do everyday is our "Peak and Pit" of the day. Okay, okay, I would be fibbing if I told you we did this EVERY day, because we don't. I mean, life gets busy and sometimes we just aren't able to sit around a dining room table for dinner and are eating on the go in between practices, or traveling. But, when we sit down to dinner most nights, we do what we call our "Peak and Pit" of the day. Every one of us goes around the table and tells the rest about the best part of our day, and why. Then we follow with the lowest part of our day, and why. I enjoy it because it gives me a look into my kids lives and lets me know what makes them tick. What makes their smiles so much bigger, and the little things I would never guess, that make their hearts break.
I love that my kids are comfortable enough to talk to my husband and I about any issues that they are having or anything that makes them smile. I honestly believe the saying that I heard once, and it will be loosely translated here, "Listen to the little things that your children say, because someday the little things become the big things." I'm not perfect at that, and I know most people aren't. It's hard to listen to EVERY thing that comes out of those sweet little mouths! Ha! But I try with all of my might, to make eye contact with them and really hold on to their attention when they do share things with me, because I don't want them to feel that they can't tell me anything.
I am truly blessed to feel comfortable in knowing that my kids can talk to us about anything. That's all I've ever wanted in life, is for my kids not to feel like they have to hide things from their parents. I want us to be their safe place always.
Thursday, July 23, 2015
Something I See Everyday....
Today's gratitude post is going to be about something I see everyday. My "something" is my wonderful, brilliant, caring husband. I honestly could not be more grateful for the man I chose to spend the rest of my life with. For the man who is the most outstanding father to our children.
I have been going through some health issues this week, and my husband has been right by my side the entire time. Now, I'm not saying that is the only reason I am grateful for him, because Lord knows, it's not. I can truthfully say that I thank the good Lord for him every single day.
I am unbelievably lucky to have a man that would rather spend his down time with me and the kids. Somebody who is always looking for things to do as a family rather than wanting to run the town with his friends. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with spending time apart and spending time with your friends by any means. It just means the world to me that he would rather be with me and our kids than anybody else.
I am lucky enough to be able to stay home and take care of our kids because of his opportunity to provide for us as a family. I'll be the first to admit, that I could probably be a better homemaker. I mean, we all have things we can improve on right? Yet, he doesn't complain about any of it! He's just happy to come home to me, to us.
I don't know what I would do without him. He is my rock, my best friend, my all time number one supporter, and the one who keeps me stable when I start getting a little nutty lol! We are pretty opposite, but I believe that is what balances us out and makes us such a great couple. Sure, we have had our ups and downs, what couple hasn't? But I believe in fixing something instead of just throwing it away. After all, I did make a vow to spend my life with him, loving him through all the good and bad times. And he has stuck by me through everything. I know that there will be rocky times ahead. After all, life isn't a fairytale like they make you believe in all the books. And we will be there for each other, standing strong, and making it through whatever is thrown our way.
My hope is that both of my children are able to find a love like ours. It's not perfect, but it's perfect for us, and it makes my whole world so much brighter, happier, and loving. In fact, my hope is that everybody is able to find a love like that. One that makes them so grateful for the person they chose to spend their life with.
I have been going through some health issues this week, and my husband has been right by my side the entire time. Now, I'm not saying that is the only reason I am grateful for him, because Lord knows, it's not. I can truthfully say that I thank the good Lord for him every single day.
I am unbelievably lucky to have a man that would rather spend his down time with me and the kids. Somebody who is always looking for things to do as a family rather than wanting to run the town with his friends. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with spending time apart and spending time with your friends by any means. It just means the world to me that he would rather be with me and our kids than anybody else.
I am lucky enough to be able to stay home and take care of our kids because of his opportunity to provide for us as a family. I'll be the first to admit, that I could probably be a better homemaker. I mean, we all have things we can improve on right? Yet, he doesn't complain about any of it! He's just happy to come home to me, to us.
I don't know what I would do without him. He is my rock, my best friend, my all time number one supporter, and the one who keeps me stable when I start getting a little nutty lol! We are pretty opposite, but I believe that is what balances us out and makes us such a great couple. Sure, we have had our ups and downs, what couple hasn't? But I believe in fixing something instead of just throwing it away. After all, I did make a vow to spend my life with him, loving him through all the good and bad times. And he has stuck by me through everything. I know that there will be rocky times ahead. After all, life isn't a fairytale like they make you believe in all the books. And we will be there for each other, standing strong, and making it through whatever is thrown our way.
My hope is that both of my children are able to find a love like ours. It's not perfect, but it's perfect for us, and it makes my whole world so much brighter, happier, and loving. In fact, my hope is that everybody is able to find a love like that. One that makes them so grateful for the person they chose to spend their life with.
Wednesday, July 22, 2015
Nature
Well, here I am on what's supposed to be day 2 of my blog challenge and I've already managed to skip a day. However, I do have a good excuse for it because I've been in and out of the emergency room for the past three days, so I do apologize about not keeping up as well as I said I was going to! If I even have any readers to apologize to! Ha!
So back to my post....I'm going to be talking about why I am grateful for nature. First off, what is NOT to be grateful about nature! I have honestly been paying more attention to my surroundings and taking in the sights I see daily that I typically take for granted.
I would have to say that my favorite thing to do in the spring, summer, and fall in Wisconsin is to take my morning cup of coffee and sit on my back porch and watch the birds, rabbits, squirrels, turkeys, and occasionally, deer, in my back yard. Its so peaceful and calming to my soul. I secretly love to watch the red tailed hawks and the eagles soar up in that beautiful morning sky. It makes me feel so free.
I know I didn't say that I love sitting out there in the winter, but I mean, do you really blame me?! Who wants to sit outside in negative degree weather! ;) However, I do enjoy the winter as well. I love how the cold weather makes me want to grab a warm mug of cider or tea and snuggle on the couch with my family with my fireplace going. Or I love watching a light snow fall on a crisp winter day. I am also certainly not opposed to the occasional raging snowstorm that keeps us stranded for a few days as well. The glitter of a new snow as the sun hits it in just the right way. I adore that...after all, I do love things that are sparkly!
I think if you look, and you don't even have to look hard, there are numerous things you can be grateful for in nature every single day. Mother nature has given us a fantastic portrait to view that changes daily. It's just a reminder that this great big planet we live on is something that can make us smile in the hardest of days if we just look long enough.
So back to my post....I'm going to be talking about why I am grateful for nature. First off, what is NOT to be grateful about nature! I have honestly been paying more attention to my surroundings and taking in the sights I see daily that I typically take for granted.
I would have to say that my favorite thing to do in the spring, summer, and fall in Wisconsin is to take my morning cup of coffee and sit on my back porch and watch the birds, rabbits, squirrels, turkeys, and occasionally, deer, in my back yard. Its so peaceful and calming to my soul. I secretly love to watch the red tailed hawks and the eagles soar up in that beautiful morning sky. It makes me feel so free.
I know I didn't say that I love sitting out there in the winter, but I mean, do you really blame me?! Who wants to sit outside in negative degree weather! ;) However, I do enjoy the winter as well. I love how the cold weather makes me want to grab a warm mug of cider or tea and snuggle on the couch with my family with my fireplace going. Or I love watching a light snow fall on a crisp winter day. I am also certainly not opposed to the occasional raging snowstorm that keeps us stranded for a few days as well. The glitter of a new snow as the sun hits it in just the right way. I adore that...after all, I do love things that are sparkly!
I think if you look, and you don't even have to look hard, there are numerous things you can be grateful for in nature every single day. Mother nature has given us a fantastic portrait to view that changes daily. It's just a reminder that this great big planet we live on is something that can make us smile in the hardest of days if we just look long enough.
Monday, July 20, 2015
Home
I have decided that I am going to be more on top of my blogging. It's been over a year since I have last posted, and I LOVE writing! There is no reason that I should let life distract me of 15 minutes of my day to write my feelings.
I have decided to do a blog challenge on things I'm grateful for. I feel like it will help me with my outlook on life, which hasn't been the greatest lately, and make me appreciate everything a little bit more. I also feel that it will help me expand on my writing because that has grown a little rusty. And I'm so lucky to have such an amazing friend that is going to do the challenge along with me! She is such a brilliant writer, and I cannot wait to read her posts because she is such an influential person to me.
My first post is going to be about "Home". Home to me means many different things, or places. I know that I will always consider where my parents are to be "home". I currently live a few hours away from my parents and the town I grew up in. I am lucky enough to live close enough to be able to drive back and visit whenever I like though. There is something about that little area of Wisconsin that brings joy to me. Even though it's just a little area, that isn't very populated and doesn't really have a whole lot to do, it holds such a dear place in my heart. And I know that that feeling is associated with my family.
I come from a family that is very tight knit. So close in fact, it almost feels like we are more like siblings than cousins. We sure do fight like we are siblings anyway (ha ha ha!), but we are there for each other no matter what. I know I can come back to this area and feel at home always.
Home also means to me, wherever my husband and my two amazing children are. With my husbands job, we tend to move frequently. In fact, where we are now is the longest we have been anywhere, and it's only been 2.5 years! People ask me a lot if moving is hard on us, on the kids? Sure it is, moving is hard on anybody. With that being said, it also brings us experiences that we otherwise would not have had. It has introduced us to some of the most amazing people we have ever met. It has given my children and myself the chance to see different cultures and experience new things. That is something we will not get back.
So if you ask me what "home" means to me, I guess I would have to say that it's not so much as a place as a feeling. And I am beyond grateful that I can feel "home" in numerous places because of the family and friends that I have and have met along the way in the crazy life of mine!
I have decided to do a blog challenge on things I'm grateful for. I feel like it will help me with my outlook on life, which hasn't been the greatest lately, and make me appreciate everything a little bit more. I also feel that it will help me expand on my writing because that has grown a little rusty. And I'm so lucky to have such an amazing friend that is going to do the challenge along with me! She is such a brilliant writer, and I cannot wait to read her posts because she is such an influential person to me.
My first post is going to be about "Home". Home to me means many different things, or places. I know that I will always consider where my parents are to be "home". I currently live a few hours away from my parents and the town I grew up in. I am lucky enough to live close enough to be able to drive back and visit whenever I like though. There is something about that little area of Wisconsin that brings joy to me. Even though it's just a little area, that isn't very populated and doesn't really have a whole lot to do, it holds such a dear place in my heart. And I know that that feeling is associated with my family.
I come from a family that is very tight knit. So close in fact, it almost feels like we are more like siblings than cousins. We sure do fight like we are siblings anyway (ha ha ha!), but we are there for each other no matter what. I know I can come back to this area and feel at home always.
Home also means to me, wherever my husband and my two amazing children are. With my husbands job, we tend to move frequently. In fact, where we are now is the longest we have been anywhere, and it's only been 2.5 years! People ask me a lot if moving is hard on us, on the kids? Sure it is, moving is hard on anybody. With that being said, it also brings us experiences that we otherwise would not have had. It has introduced us to some of the most amazing people we have ever met. It has given my children and myself the chance to see different cultures and experience new things. That is something we will not get back.
So if you ask me what "home" means to me, I guess I would have to say that it's not so much as a place as a feeling. And I am beyond grateful that I can feel "home" in numerous places because of the family and friends that I have and have met along the way in the crazy life of mine!
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Depression...
It's high time I be honest with myself. I've come to realize that I'm depressed. At least, I feel like I'm depressed. My husband can tell that something is definitely different about me. In fact, he said just this morning that I seem to be really negative a lot lately. Questioning his love for me, being extra needy. If I do something wrong, I dwell on it for days and can think of a hundred reasons why what I did messed up AGAIN. I have an absolutely horrible self esteem. That I've known for awhile now. And it's something that I am continuously working on. It seems like I take one step forward and two steps back every single time.
I have suffered on and off from depression since I was in high school. It actually came to a point where I was able to completely shut off any emotion whatsoever. I had been doing that for so long, that I honestly did not know I was even doing it. That is another thing that I'm working on as well. I want to be able to feel happy, feel joy, feel excitement, feel pain. Instead the only emotions I seem to be feeling as of late, are extreme sadness and irritability. Which is totally not fair to my children or my husband.
I know a lot of it comes from the fact that we moved from a place that I loved with my whole heart. Yes, it was really far away from my family, but what I lacked in family ties in Texas, my great and wonderful friends and extended family made up for. I still talked to my parents everyday on the phone. My kids were still able to see their grandparents at least once a week on Skype. I thought moving back to Wisconsin, being closer to family was going to be good for us. And it has been in some aspects. I'm able to go and visit my parents and in-laws whenever I want. But I am lacking the friendships. It's been over a year since we have moved and I still have yet to meet anybody new. I'm a stay at home mom, so I don't really get out to much to meet new people. But, I've been applying to different places to get a part time job. I would totally go full time, but with my husbands work schedule (third shift and travelling all week long), it would be impossible for me to get my kids to their extra curricular activities and appointments. I don't believe that it's fair to my kids to not be able to go out for football, gymnastics, baseball, what have you, because our work schedules don't allow for it. They shouldn't have to sacrifice their childhood because of our careers.
It's just difficult, moving every two years, trying to make new friends and new connections. It's hard on a person. And maybe this depression is because it's been such a long, treacherous winter. I mean seriously, 50+ odd days of below zero temps and 70+ inches of snow?!?!? A person can only take so much of that. I need the fresh air, I need the sun shining on my face. I need to be out in the yard with my kids gardening, playing tag, going for bike rides.
I need to feel better. I need to feel like me again.
I have suffered on and off from depression since I was in high school. It actually came to a point where I was able to completely shut off any emotion whatsoever. I had been doing that for so long, that I honestly did not know I was even doing it. That is another thing that I'm working on as well. I want to be able to feel happy, feel joy, feel excitement, feel pain. Instead the only emotions I seem to be feeling as of late, are extreme sadness and irritability. Which is totally not fair to my children or my husband.
I know a lot of it comes from the fact that we moved from a place that I loved with my whole heart. Yes, it was really far away from my family, but what I lacked in family ties in Texas, my great and wonderful friends and extended family made up for. I still talked to my parents everyday on the phone. My kids were still able to see their grandparents at least once a week on Skype. I thought moving back to Wisconsin, being closer to family was going to be good for us. And it has been in some aspects. I'm able to go and visit my parents and in-laws whenever I want. But I am lacking the friendships. It's been over a year since we have moved and I still have yet to meet anybody new. I'm a stay at home mom, so I don't really get out to much to meet new people. But, I've been applying to different places to get a part time job. I would totally go full time, but with my husbands work schedule (third shift and travelling all week long), it would be impossible for me to get my kids to their extra curricular activities and appointments. I don't believe that it's fair to my kids to not be able to go out for football, gymnastics, baseball, what have you, because our work schedules don't allow for it. They shouldn't have to sacrifice their childhood because of our careers.
It's just difficult, moving every two years, trying to make new friends and new connections. It's hard on a person. And maybe this depression is because it's been such a long, treacherous winter. I mean seriously, 50+ odd days of below zero temps and 70+ inches of snow?!?!? A person can only take so much of that. I need the fresh air, I need the sun shining on my face. I need to be out in the yard with my kids gardening, playing tag, going for bike rides.
I need to feel better. I need to feel like me again.
Monday, March 17, 2014
Judgy McJudgerson
This is going to be a total ranting post. A ranting post mainly because I need to get this off of my chest, and also because maybe if I put it out there, and look at it on paper, (well screen), I will maybe try to figure out a way to not let this bother me so much...
I know that everybody has family issues, and I love my family dearly! The main issue I'm having is I cannot STAND how judgmental some of my extended family is! I mean, I literally get anxiety the ONE time that we all get together every year because it's like they will look for anything negative in people. And I know that this is because they need to feel better about themselves, but it's bad when I'm harping at my husband about what he's wearing, and if he has a spot of dirt on his hand! I'm all over my kids to make sure they look their absolute best, you'd think we were on our way to church in our Sunday best the way I'm after them!
Now, anybody who knows me, knows that I'm not a judgmental person. Not in the slightest. I pretty much let my kids wear what they want in order to express themselves (obviously it has to be weather appropriate and age appropriate). I never tell my husband that he's not wearing this or not wearing that. I don't care if people are staring at my broken out face when we are out shopping or if every strand of hair is not in place. But I'm totally different when it comes to that side of my family.
I don't want to be that way. I don't want to look for the negative in every single person, ESPECIALLY the people I love the most. I don't want to become so materialistic that that becomes all I look at in anybody I meet. I want to stay me. I want to accept anybody and everybody with open arms. I want to form opinions on somebody after I learn their story. And even then, I will still have a hard time not liking you and finding the absolute best in you.
Now I just need to figure out how to move past this. How to learn to be myself in front of these people who are so unaccepting of anybody who doesn't fit into society's mold. If I'm anything, I'm definitely not the mold that society has placed on people these days. I'm weird, I'm awkward in front of groups of people. I sing almost everything that comes out of my mouth. I normally don't care what people think about me, and even though it takes a lot of time and effort to get to know me, I would definitely say that it's worth it! Ha! I just need to be confident in who I am around this part of my family, and not let these things bother me. Or just find a way to point it out to them because maybe they don't even realize that they are doing it? Something to think about I guess...
I know that everybody has family issues, and I love my family dearly! The main issue I'm having is I cannot STAND how judgmental some of my extended family is! I mean, I literally get anxiety the ONE time that we all get together every year because it's like they will look for anything negative in people. And I know that this is because they need to feel better about themselves, but it's bad when I'm harping at my husband about what he's wearing, and if he has a spot of dirt on his hand! I'm all over my kids to make sure they look their absolute best, you'd think we were on our way to church in our Sunday best the way I'm after them!
Now, anybody who knows me, knows that I'm not a judgmental person. Not in the slightest. I pretty much let my kids wear what they want in order to express themselves (obviously it has to be weather appropriate and age appropriate). I never tell my husband that he's not wearing this or not wearing that. I don't care if people are staring at my broken out face when we are out shopping or if every strand of hair is not in place. But I'm totally different when it comes to that side of my family.
I don't want to be that way. I don't want to look for the negative in every single person, ESPECIALLY the people I love the most. I don't want to become so materialistic that that becomes all I look at in anybody I meet. I want to stay me. I want to accept anybody and everybody with open arms. I want to form opinions on somebody after I learn their story. And even then, I will still have a hard time not liking you and finding the absolute best in you.
Now I just need to figure out how to move past this. How to learn to be myself in front of these people who are so unaccepting of anybody who doesn't fit into society's mold. If I'm anything, I'm definitely not the mold that society has placed on people these days. I'm weird, I'm awkward in front of groups of people. I sing almost everything that comes out of my mouth. I normally don't care what people think about me, and even though it takes a lot of time and effort to get to know me, I would definitely say that it's worth it! Ha! I just need to be confident in who I am around this part of my family, and not let these things bother me. Or just find a way to point it out to them because maybe they don't even realize that they are doing it? Something to think about I guess...
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