My Boys

 

Most people who read this blog know that before I became a  mom of all girls.  I was once a mom of only boys.  My boys Joe and Shae were my first borns.  They were fraternal twins who were born when I went into premature labor at 23 weeks.  Joe was born first and lived for 4 minutes, Shae followed a few hours later but was stillborn due to the trauma of child birth. They both touched my heart, soul, and life in a way that will never be forgotten.  They would have turned 19 this past May 31st (which is the actual date of Memorial Day, not just observed).  This is what my girls and I did to honor them this year.  I have had to have many awkward conversations when my girls tell people they have 2 brothers.  They are as much a part of our family as if they were alive because they continue to live in our hearts.

 

Hot wheels and Legos would have ruled a part of my life I am sure...the chalkboard was done by their little sister Katie....

 

 



Focus

 

Well this was my word for 2014.  I had kind of forgotten about it but decided to check on my progress. I  think the remainder of the year needs to be kicked into high gear.  I am currently reading a book by Gretchen Rubin titled Happier At Home.  She wrote another book called The Happiness Project which I have heard great things about.  I am happy at home but am wanting to create the sanctuary my family needs to recharge, relax, and be.  One thing I really love so far in the book is that she refers to her project as finding out who she is and how to  "Be Gretchen."  I think that is one of my issues of late, I am wearing so many hats and reading so much "how to" stuff that I don't really know how to "Be Penny."  I know this theme comes up a lot on this blog.  So here I go again with it :) 

 

The first month of the project focuses on Material Possessions and why we are or are not attached to our "things".....

 

Update to follow in late July :)

 

Summer Goals

 

 

Can I do it?  Yes, I can....

So what plans do I have for the summer??

1.  Learn to slow down and relax more.  This will require telling Doug that he can not book something for every Saturday and Sunday from sunup to sundown. That man knows how to fill a social calendar I tell ya :)

2.  Get around to making those ten scarves (I have plans for them that I will share later).

3.  Doug is getting a smoker (ya know like a grill) , so I intend to keep him busy with some new recipes.

4.  Get my feet in tip top condition so I can get a tattoo (well maybe....)

5.  Get to the pool at least 5 times with my kids.  This will depend on #1 being met.

 

 

 



Update on Spring To Do List

So here is my update on my to do list...I did way better than the Winter one.

1. Really decorate my deck this Spring/Summer. I plan to enjoy this space alot. I am planning an herb garden in my side area as well. 

Done.  I even got to the herb garden and I am enjoying my deck immensely as are the crazy kittens. 

2. I have 10 scarves that I plan to make.

Did not even complete one :(   

3. Get back to cooking and not just eating convenience foods.

This is a partial completion.  I have had a little more time to cook real food, but I have gotten a little lazy with cooking all together.  So I am learning to make more than we need so there are leftovers.

4. Enjoy Katie's last Musical and Prom

Done.  And I really did enjoy them!!

5. Plan Zoey, Cass, and Kate's Graduation Party...oh dear....

Done.  However, Zoey did not get to participate due to a new job.  But it was a successful party and a good time was had by all.

Do I know how to raise teens?

I will never say I have all the answers, but having one daughter just graduate high school and another getting ready to start, I would say I have some experience.

Definitely trial and error.  Live and Learn so to speak.  

My advice to parents of teen daughters.  Follow your heart, your instincts, and definitely practice respect.  Also, do not lie to them.  Ever.  

I am trying very hard to raise my girls with Christian values and morals.  I strive everyday to also be a Godly example to them.  Do I have skeletons?  Yes, I do.  Do they know about some of them?  Yes, they do.  I live in a small town, I couldn't hide some of the skeletons even if I tried.

My girls know that I made mistakes in high school.  I also refer to those mistakes as regrets.  I realize they will also make mistakes, but I do believe they can learn from mine as well and save some hard ache making the same ones.  I will raise my girls differently than I was in some respects because of the live and learn philosophy.  I expect my grandchildren will be raised a little differently than my children too.  

My number one piece of advice.  The hardest part of the parenting role should be behind us at this point in the game.  The standards set.  We must spend the teen years starting the letting go process and letting them wade into new territories with us as support.  Respect them, start showing our trust in them, support them, and always love them.  And when it is required, continue to discipline them.  Our heavenly father continues to discipline us.  It is ok.

And learn to speak their language.....like snap chat :)

It's OK

I haven't done one of these in awhile so here goes...

 

It's ok that...

 

I have become obsessed with all things chalk board...darn pintrest

 

I don't make Lucy brush her hair everyday in the summer (have you seen the craziness?)

 

I want a job just reading books (to myself)  with a coffee shop close by...

 

I hate driving and want a chauffeur, but do not need a limo.  The family van will do.

 

I am super excited about Cassie starting High School.

 

I kinda suck (no better word) at grilling.

 

I took a quiz that asked if I would rather confront an alligator, a grizzly bear, or a mugger?  How do you answer that?  I chose alligator but I don't know why exactly.

 

I have drank a couple of coca colas in the last few weeks.  That is ok, right?

 

 

 

 

 

 



Sharing Some Scripture

 

I have said before, God gives me the scriptures I need when I am needing him to speak directly to me.  This time it came from a blog I like to read which I read mostly for the fashion over 40 ideas but she also includes beauty for the heart as well....

 

 

2 Timothy 1:7  For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but He has given us a spirit of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control.

 

Wow, did any one else need that today?  

 

Have a blessed day dear friends

 

Here is a link to the blog Walking in Grace and Beauty

Sharing Some Scripture

 

I love when I am led to a scripture that speaks to my heart in a new way.  It is as if God is talking straight to me and my situation.  Actually he is,  that is why it is called His Word.  The other day in church, the preacher was speaking on Luke chapter 8.  This scripture stood out to me and was just what I needed to hear:

 

Luke 8:48  Then he said to her, "Daughter, your faith has healed you.  Go in peace." 

 

I was almost brought to tears over that one.  I love that it reminds me that I am his daughter, that he knows what I need, and he is telling me to go in peace.  I also love that we only need to have faith as big as a mustard seed to have enough faith.... btw, mustard seeds are very tiny. 

 

Thank you God for your love and for the everlasting life you give us through your son Jesus Christ....

 

Have a blessed day dear friends

 

My Porch....

 It started out with a bunch of this....

and then....

If you haven't figured it out yet, I love antiques and retro.  Oh and summer!!

Ahh, summer moments

 

This girl knows how to do just that....

 

Dogs, kittens, and kiddos know....

 

 

They say a hug is just good for the soul.  It releases endorphins which are the happiness to the receptors in our brains.  However, do we wait for someone to hug us or do we ask when we need or want one?  I am a waiter, but am learning to be an asker.  Other people don't always know when you are needing one.  If you are crying they know, if you are worried and bottling it all in, they do not.  I think we should take our cue from dogs, kittens, and kiddos.

 

 

Have you noticed that pets and children just know how good that touch can be for your soul.  They just sit and let you pet or snuggle them for as long as you are willing.  If one of my girls needs some lovin she just curls up in my lap (even the big ones) and that is the cue for play with my hair, stroke my arm, give me a hug.  Easy, peasy.  Why do we lose this as adults, how do we get it back?  We just start asking. 

It is sooo worth it!!

What I learned in May....

 

 

That my life is too, too, too Crazy Busy.  This is my fault.  I do not say no, I overbook, I worry, I fret, I add a little more, I procrastinate, I worry some more, I do not delegate, I do not make my needs known, and so on,  and so on,  and so on.....

 

I really need summer.... the lightened schedule, the interactions with friends, the down time.

 

 

I survived two graduations...I was mostly worried about the finality of K's High School graduation but I actually enjoyed myself.  I was so proud of both of my graduates :)

 

 

I learned that I need to follow my dreams, aspirations, and beliefs.  I need to be confident in what I believe is my calling.  Otherwise, my life is just out of sync and unmanageable. 

 

 

It is OK to not feel certain things are important even when other people feel they are.  We are created to make choices and sometimes my better choice is not another's better choice.

 

 

Life always works out exactly how it is supposed to....you may have to go through the same fires until you get it right, but it always works out according to God's plan when we let him have control.

 

 

I like cats after all.  A box full of kittens can change your heart.

 

 

If I never lose another pound I can still enjoy my life....and definitely the food that goes with it :)

 

 

I have an overactive brain that has a million wants and a to do list that is impossible to accomplish.....slow it down.....

 

 

A "Thanks for all you do" does not fill the need for a "Sorry for what I did"

 

And some people never change, grow, or acknowledge their fault in a situation. That is alright.  That is where thankfulness that those people are minor players in your game of life comes in.