Dinner.....UGH!!!

Tonight was an EPIC fail.  We have tons of work to do.  Is it manageable?  Can it be accomplished?  Yes!  But, will it take time?  Will it take patience?  Will it take life changes?  Yes! Yes! Yes!

I was with a friend recently, shopping, when she purchased cloth napkins.  I asked her why and she said because she wanted to teach her kids manners and how to eat properly.  Hmmmm.......fast forward a few weeks later and you have what happened tonight.

I obviously think today is a major holiday.  For dinner tonight I made a pork loin, hash brown casserole, macaroni and cheese, jalapeno corn, rolls and a cake for dessert.  It is amazing how just knowing I don't have to work tomorrow makes me feel like cooking!   As we were getting ready to eat tonight I decided to pull out the cloth napkins. We have BUNCHES of cloth napkins, no idea how or why, but we do.  I typically use them when we are celebrating a holiday at our house.  That being said, I KNOW the girls have seen/used cloth napkins before.  I know they have used them at my moms house and I am pretty sure they have used them at our house.  So, when Autumn walked into the kitchen and asked why we there were rags by her plate at dinner I was shocked!  WHAT?!?  How does she not know what a cloth napkin is???

Fast forward to meal time.... we sit and say grace and begin our meal.  I notice the elbows...4 of them on the table, all belonging to 2 sweet girls.  I notice how often they talk with food in their mouth.  I notice how they scoop food with their hands, I notice how (after being directed to put their napkins in their lap) rarely they use their napkins.  We even pulled out an actual butter knife tonight and the girls asked what it was?

To be honest...it was a bit surreal as we sat there tonight.  I also realize we can't change all of the things in one sitting.  We picked out biggest battles tonight....napkins, elbows, and talking with food in their mouths.  There is sooooo much more to work on.  I am admitting that we are LAZY at meal times...we eat in front of the TV more often than we should,  we often hurry through our meals to get to our next activity, and we often overlook what it is going on right in front of us.  But, that all changes as of tonight.  We can't expect our girls to act they way we want them to if we haven't taught them to do it.  So, dinner may take a little longer and it will take some work on all of our parts....but we will succeed and we will be the kind of family that knows what to do with cloth napkins.  :)

Asking for help....strength or weakness????

I don't like to ask for help. In fact, being honest...I think it makes me look weak.  Which is very weird since I LOVE to help others. I don't view others as weak when they need help, so I have no idea as to why I would think others would view me as weak?  Of course if you asked Mark, he would probably say I have no problem asking for help...or maybe it's actually that I am good at giving directions.  :)

Truth be told, I don't even like to ask others to help with the girls......I like it when people offer, but unless I HAVE to have help I very rarely ask people to help.


That being said, lately I have needed help.  But, that whole pride thing has been getting in the way....so instead, I have been trying to do everything, deal with everything myself until it gets to much and then I crash and have a massive meltdown.

After admitting something like this I always feel it is important to tell people that my life is great and that this was just a rare occurrence.....why?  Because I don't want people to think I am weak.  :)

I have lucked out lately....some of the times I have needed help the most...people have been there.  I have been blessed with a husband who listens, understands, and agrees with me.  :)  He shows me the love and compassion that I need when I am at my lowest.

I have been blessed with friends who have texted at the right time, provided me with the comic relief I have needed, or even just been there to support me.

Well, the other day I did something...something a little different for me.  I asked God for help.  Now, don't get me wrong...I talk to God daily, but typically it is all in my head.  My logic has always been that he knows what I am thinking anyways...so I will often turn the radio or TV down and we will have some great "mind conversations."  However, the other day that wasn't cutting it.....so I did what I typically don't do...I spoke out loud.  I simply asked for help.  I think I actually said it about 4 or 5 times.....but it was out loud, it was different.  You know....I think God liked that I actually asked out loud for help.....I don't think he viewed me as being weak.  I actually think he liked it.   It wasn't long before I was feeling better....that inner peace that is so nice to find.  Now, to be honest I took a nap after my "talk" and I felt better mind, body, and soul.

All that being said, I can't help but wonder if asking for help isn't such a bad thing?  Sometimes I think people need to know we need them....an out loud asking.  Just as God knew I needed him, I think he was proud that I asked out loud.....perhaps he even saw it as me being a stronger person????

So, really....how are you????

Throughout my 29 years of life.....hmmmmm.....okay, maybe 30 years of life, I have been lucky enough to meet some AMAZING people.  I have met some of the strongest, most creative, giving people and yet one thing has been same for all of them.  They all have good days and bad days.  I wonder sometimes when I see people and they ask me how I am doing if they really want to know?  I mean, if I were to really stop and start talking about what was going on in my life, good or bad, would they really be interested or do they just want to hear the word "fine" and know they asked.  Over the past few weeks I have seen some people who I really care about need words of encouragement.  But sometimes I wonder if people know that these people need to hear those words?  Now, I am not pretending that I know about every person's life, and someone could even be thinking....you didn't encourage me when I needed it.  But, sometimes I wonder.

Social media has definitely changed the way relationships work.  I know some people who really only talk to me about FB statuses that I have posted.  I know some people who the only communication they have with me is through FB.  Texting has changed things too.  I know that is a big one for me.  I can be in mass chaos and think of something or want to tell someone something and I will just text it instead of calling.

Sometimes people need to know you are there for them.  Whether it be through FB or a text, they need to know you really care.

I saw this quote the other day and I really liked it....

I am at a really good point in my life.  I have a fabulous family, a great church home, a wonderful job, and some great friends.  But sometimes I wonder how good of friends are people now a days?  Do we

just ask how people are doing to be nice, do we just hit the like button so they will see we responded?

Sometimes people need to hear encouraging words, and unless we actually ask and LISTEN....we won't know they need us.  And in all honesty, sometimes when it comes to friends....words aren't needed.  Just knowing a friend is there can mean more than any spoken words.  I am so proud of the many friends I have who are amazing wives, mothers, and just wonderful people.  But, let's be honest, in today's craziness.......sometimes people need to actually be told they are those things.

Random Acts of Kindness=Happiness

I've been reading several different books lately that talk about being happier or being a better person.  One underlying theme in all the books, sermons, talks with others, etc. is doing for others.

We have all heard/know that we feel better when we do things for others.  If this is the case, then why don't we do things for others more often?  Now, a few things that I know from experience is that we if we constantly do for 1 person we begin to expect things in return from that person.....so, I think we need to vary the people for which we do things.

One of my favorite things I have EVER received came in the mail came from a friend, Lundy.  One day out of the blue a few years ago she sent me and my family a card letting us know that she and her family had chosen to pray for one family each week and that we were that family for that week.  I can't tell you how fantastic I thought that was.  She was thinking/praying for us....out of the blue!  I love that!  Now, my plan had been to do the same and unfortunately it is still something I need to do...but it is a goal of mine.

We all know a random text, call, phone call, surprise from someone can completely make our day....so why don't we do more of it?

One of my "new" goals for 2013 is a random act of kindness each day for someone.  It could be a card, gift, text, etc.  It can be for someone I know or a complete stranger!  What I should do is a make a list, so I can remember to do it and have a game plan.....we'll see if that part happens....but I will try.  If I know doing this will make me a happier person, then why wouldn't I do it?

Have a GREAT weekend!

Goodbye 2012....

Tomorrow is the last day of 2012.  It is amazing how fast a year can go!  I have really enjoyed this year, it has had its' ups and downs, but overall it has been really good.

I had set 3 New Years Resolutions for this year and was able to achieve some of them.....:)

1st....I accomplished my goal of 500 miles...in fact, I am at 560 miles with one more day to go.  :)

2nd....De-cluttering....well, I had my moments with this one and since we just packed up a bunch of things for Goodwill I have worked on this, to some extent.

3rd...my prayer journal....well, let's just say....I need to work harder on this one.

As I sit and reflect on this past year I can think of so many things that I did or tried to do....

I got to be a part of my brother's wedding which was a FABULOUS time with family!  I am so blessed that he found such a perfect match!

I went on my first cruise...which I LOVED!

I ran a 10k....which I LOVED..... when it was OVER!

I have lots of memories with my sweet girls, who are growing up WAY TOO fast.  I am so proud to be their mom!

I was spoiled another year by my wonderful husband, who loves me with all of my faults.

I tried to mend some relationships that I had not worked hard enough on and I tried to be the type of friend I would want others to be.  I know I let many people down at times and was not there for some when they needed me, but it wasn't because I wasn't trying.

I loved lots and laughed often.

I tried to be the type of person God would want me to be and though I fall short in so many areas, I will continue to try.

As this year ends and 2013 quickly approaches I am grateful for all that I have and will continue to try and be better.

I hope to be a better wife, mom, family member, friend, teacher, and person in 2013.

I also hope to run 750 miles in 2013 as I have realized running makes me feel better, both physically and mentally.

I hope to continue to work on "de-cluttering."

I will try again on my prayer journal and spending more quality time in prayer.  I will try not to ask...but to accept.

I hope 2013 is a GREAT year for everyone.  Unfortunately for so many 2012 isn't ending like they had hoped and it hurts me to see my friends sad or hurt.  I hope that the New Year brings happiness to all.

Have a fabulous and safe New Years Eve!

Dadgum it, exercise....

To start with, this post is more for me than anyone else.  I am admitting that exercise really does make a difference.  I am also admitting that to make true LASTING changes for yourself you have to make LIFE changes.

The proof....buying smaller size jeans!  Yay!

As most of you know I set a goal of running 500 miles this year.  So far I have run 520 miles.  My average was 10.6 miles a week.  Plus, I continued my other exercise routines.  And....it made a difference.

Now, number wise on the scale.....well, I wish it was a smaller number and at times the fact that it hasn't been a smaller number has been discouraging.  I didn't lose lots of weight all at once....but, over time the changes have occurred and that makes me super happy!

I will also say exercise has become a part of my life.  I am happier when I exercise regularly.  I feel better about myself after I have exercised.  I have more patience after I have exercised.

Now, I didn't write this to tell people what to do and running isn't for everyone, but running isn't all I have done.  But, what I did was change my lifestyle for a goal I wanted.....I didn't do anything for anyone else...this was all for me.  In turn, I am happy!  :)

I still have plenty of work to do, many miles to run, and many planks to hold....but I am happy about the changes I have made and will continue to set new goals.

Now, if I can just make it through the holidays!!!!  :)

Have a GREAT week and Happy Almost Thanksgiving!!!

Teaching.......What's my job?

Okay, before I really get going I want to preface this with I LOVE my job!  Love, love, love.  I think it is interesting to really look at what my job is though.  There is ALWAYS more to people's jobs than what we think or realize, so I definitely know that everyone is in the same boat.....lots to do, lots of expectations, and then we hope to make a difference as well.

I CHOSE to teach high school.  I write it like that because it was truly a choice.  I always knew I wanted to teach....it was just hard to decide what I wanted to teach....what grade, age, subject.....

Confession time....I love history, but I don't eat, sleep, and dream it....I LOVE teaching.  I love being in front of the class, I love trying to make my subject fun and meaningful for the students.  In fact, that is one reason I chose to teach history....my goal was to make it interesting and fun for my students.

So, we know that my job is to explain my subject matter to my students.  All teachers are work to teach reading, writing, and I even teach math at times.  :)

I also believe it is my job to teach life lessons.  My kids should learn responsibility, manners, and respect.  Some people make the comments that teachers should teach morals and character and to be honest with you....I am okay with that.  I really don't have a big problem with it.  The issue becomes if we teach it different from how a parent would want it taught.  :)  I have expectations....I expect for my students respect me, I expect my students to try hard, and I expect my students to be kind to others.  That is part of my job...to teach these things as well.  I find it funny when people think all the negative things kids learn come from school.  I have small kids and though they have picked up on some negative things at school, most of the negative things my kids have learned haven't been "at school."  My kids have seen things on TV, at  Wal-Mart, on the radio and in the neighborhood that I  wish they had never learned, so I would never just blame the school.

My job is to teach, to inspire, to create, to counsel, to make sure my kids have someone to talk to, someone on their side, someone to help.....but I also have to make sure they understand that respect towards adults should be given, that when others speak.....they should listen, and that we should respect  others even when we don't agree with them.

I love my job and am so appreciative of all the people who are doing all they can to provide these gifts and school to my girls.

I am lucky enough to have a job that I love and though there are days that don't go as planned, there is nothing I would rather do.  :)