Sunday, August 26, 2007
The Grocery Store
This is it. This sums it all up. I despise going to the grocery store, let alone taking my kids with me. This auction was a hoot! It perfectly describes what taking all 4 of my kiddos with me is like! I couldn't have written it better myself!
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
First official day of school
Aah, the first day of school. The kids were so excited. Mom and Dad are just as excited! Rianna and Jaden starting Kindergarten. It doesn't seem real! Where did the time go? Sydney in 2nd grade? Wow, the glamour of cursive writing is finally here! I just don't remember the excitement of learning to write in cursive. I am so glad my kids love school. I am just anxiously awaiting the phone call that my crazy little Rianna has detention. In Kindergarten, they have these "color card changes", instead of checkmarks. If you stay on green, you are doing well; if it turns yellow, you lose 5 minutes of recess; orange you lose 10 minutes of recess; if you are the minority and hit red, you lose all recesses and snack. After that, you get detention. It will be soon. I can almost guarantee it. Both Jaden and Rianna take snack on Friday for their birthdays. I would bet money that Rianna takes cupcakes, but doesn't get to eat one! Say a prayer for Rianna's ADD not to interfere with her school work.
Invisible
A friend emailed me this and it brought tears to my eyes. Had to share...
I'm invisible.
It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of
response, the way one of the kids will walk into the room while
I'm on the phone and ask to be taken to the store. Inside I'm
thinking, "Can't you see I'm on the phone?" Obviously not. No
one can see if I'm on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the
floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me at all. I'm invisible.
Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more: Can you fix
this? Can you tie this? Can you open this?
Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human being.
I'm a clock to ask, "What time is it?" I'm a satellite guide to
answer, "What number is the Disney Channel?" I'm a car to order,
"Right around 5:30, please." I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and
the eyes that studied history and the mind that graduated summa
cum laude - but now they had disappeared into the peanut butter,
never to be seen again. She's going she's going . she's gone!
One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return
of a friend from England . Janice had just gotten back from a
fabulous trip, and she was going on and on about the hotel she
stayed in. I was sitting there, looking around at the others all
put together so well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for
myself as I looked down at my out-of-style dress; it was the
only thing I could find that was clean. My unwashed hair was pulled
up in a banana clip and I was afraid I could actually smell peanut
butter in it. I was feeling pretty pathetic, when Janice turned to me
with a beautifully wrapped package, and said, "I brought you this."
It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe . I wasn't
exactly sure why she'd given it to me until I read her
inscription: "To Charlotte , with admiration for the greatness of
what you are building when no one sees."In the days ahead I would read - no, devour - the book. And I would discover what would become for me, four life-changing
truths, after which I could pattern my work: No one can say who
built the great cathedrals - we have no record of their names.
These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would
never see finished. They made great sacrifices and expected no
credit. The passion of their building was fueled by their faith
that the eyes of God saw everything.
A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to
visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a
workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was
puzzled and asked the man, "Why are you spending so much time
carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof?
No one will ever see it." And the workman replied, "Because God sees."
I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place. It
was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, "I see you,
Charlotte . I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no
one around you does. No act of kindness you've done, no sequin
you've sewn on, no cupcake you've baked, is too small for me to
notice and smile over. You are building a great cathedral, but
you can't see right now what it will become." At times, my
invisibility feels like an affliction. But it is not a disease
that is erasing my life. It is the cure for the disease of my
own self-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn
pride. I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great
builder. As one of the people who show up at a job that they
will never see finished, to work on something that their name
will never be on. The writer of the book went so far as to say
that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime because
there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree.
When I really think about it, I don't want my son to tell the
friend he's bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, "My mom
gets up at 4 in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then
she hand bastes a turkey for three hours and presses all the
linens for the table." That would mean I'd built a shrine or a
monument to myself. I just want him to want to come home. And
then, if there is anything more to say to his friend, to add,
"You're gonna love it there."
As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen
if we're doing it right. And one day, it is very possible that
the world will marvel, not only at what we have built, but at
the beauty that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of
invisible women,
reat Job, MOM
I'm invisible.
It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of
response, the way one of the kids will walk into the room while
I'm on the phone and ask to be taken to the store. Inside I'm
thinking, "Can't you see I'm on the phone?" Obviously not. No
one can see if I'm on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the
floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me at all. I'm invisible.
Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more: Can you fix
this? Can you tie this? Can you open this?
Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human being.
I'm a clock to ask, "What time is it?" I'm a satellite guide to
answer, "What number is the Disney Channel?" I'm a car to order,
"Right around 5:30, please." I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and
the eyes that studied history and the mind that graduated summa
cum laude - but now they had disappeared into the peanut butter,
never to be seen again. She's going she's going . she's gone!
One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return
of a friend from England . Janice had just gotten back from a
fabulous trip, and she was going on and on about the hotel she
stayed in. I was sitting there, looking around at the others all
put together so well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for
myself as I looked down at my out-of-style dress; it was the
only thing I could find that was clean. My unwashed hair was pulled
up in a banana clip and I was afraid I could actually smell peanut
butter in it. I was feeling pretty pathetic, when Janice turned to me
with a beautifully wrapped package, and said, "I brought you this."
It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe . I wasn't
exactly sure why she'd given it to me until I read her
inscription: "To Charlotte , with admiration for the greatness of
what you are building when no one sees."In the days ahead I would read - no, devour - the book. And I would discover what would become for me, four life-changing
truths, after which I could pattern my work: No one can say who
built the great cathedrals - we have no record of their names.
These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would
never see finished. They made great sacrifices and expected no
credit. The passion of their building was fueled by their faith
that the eyes of God saw everything.
A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to
visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a
workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was
puzzled and asked the man, "Why are you spending so much time
carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof?
No one will ever see it." And the workman replied, "Because God sees."
I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place. It
was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, "I see you,
Charlotte . I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no
one around you does. No act of kindness you've done, no sequin
you've sewn on, no cupcake you've baked, is too small for me to
notice and smile over. You are building a great cathedral, but
you can't see right now what it will become." At times, my
invisibility feels like an affliction. But it is not a disease
that is erasing my life. It is the cure for the disease of my
own self-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn
pride. I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great
builder. As one of the people who show up at a job that they
will never see finished, to work on something that their name
will never be on. The writer of the book went so far as to say
that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime because
there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree.
When I really think about it, I don't want my son to tell the
friend he's bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, "My mom
gets up at 4 in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then
she hand bastes a turkey for three hours and presses all the
linens for the table." That would mean I'd built a shrine or a
monument to myself. I just want him to want to come home. And
then, if there is anything more to say to his friend, to add,
"You're gonna love it there."
As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen
if we're doing it right. And one day, it is very possible that
the world will marvel, not only at what we have built, but at
the beauty that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of
invisible women,
reat Job, MOM
Thursday, August 9, 2007
Wow!!! Check this out!!!
Back to school embellishment e-book. Lots of different ways to personalize your child's notebook and binder (among other things). So cool!!
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Being Nice Matters!
Well, my good friend, Cheryl, nominated me for a "nice matters" award thingy! I am so honored, and now I must go and nominate 5 others to receive this recognition! First, I would love to nominate Karen, of Growing Up With Rosy, she is so genuine and sweet! You must check out her creations!!
Second, I will give a shout out to Sarah, Marvellous Mouse, for being there when someone needs a hand. She has quite a way with words so her blog is a must-see!
Megan of Creative Outlet Designs is a sweet and helpful gal. She was so helpful when I had questions about her wonderful e-book on making decoupage jeans.
Robyn of Absolutely Charming for donating her time and lovely graphics to our fun design group, Blossom Leigh Boutique. Her work is amazing!!!
I think I will just have to stick with 4 nominees, let's face it, I am still "green" at blogging!!!!
Thursday, August 2, 2007
My baby is turning 3!
I cannot believe my baby is going to be 3 years old! Where has the time gone? It's such a fun age, but I will admit I am a little sad too. Her first friend party is this weekend. I will post pics from that when I get a chance.
WHY MEN ARE RARELY DEPRESSED
> >>Men Are Just Happier People-- What do you expect from such simple
> >>creatures? Your last name stays put. The garage is all yours. Wedding
> >>plans take care of themselves. Chocolate is just another snack. You can be
> >>President. You can never be pregnant. You can wear a white T-shirt to a
> >>water park. You can wear NO shirt to a water park. Car mechanics tell you
> >>the truth.. The world is your urinal. You never have to drive to another
> >>gas station restroom because this one is just too icky. You don't have to
> >>stop and think of which way to turn a nut on a bolt. Same work, more pay.
> >>Wrinkles add character. Wedding dress $5000. Tux rental-$100. People never
> >>stare at your chest when you're talking to them. The occasional
> >>well-rendered belch is practically expected. New shoes don't cut, blister,
> >>or mangle your feet. One mood all the time.
> >>
> >>Phone conversations are over in 30 seconds flat. You know stuff about
> >>tanks. A five-day vacation requires only one suitcase. You can open all
> >>your own jars. You get extra credit for the slightest act of
> >>thoughtfulness. If someone forgets to invite you, he or she can still be
> >>your friend.
> >>
> >>Your underwear is $8.95 for a three-pack. Three pairs of shoes are more
> >>than enough. You almost never have strap problems in public. You are
> >>unable to see wrinkles in your clothes. Everything on your face stays its
> >>original color. The same hairstyle lasts for years, maybe decades. You
> >>only have to shave your face and neck.
> >>
> >>You can play with toys all your life. Your belly usually hides your big
> >>hips. One wallet and one pair of shoes -- one color for all seasons. You
> >>can wear shorts no matter how your legs look. You can 'do' your nails with
> >>a pocket knife. You have freedom of choice concerning growing a mustache.
> >>
> >>You can do Christmas shopping for 25 relatives on December 24 in 25
> >>minutes
> >>
> >>No wonder men are happier.
> >>creatures? Your last name stays put. The garage is all yours. Wedding
> >>plans take care of themselves. Chocolate is just another snack. You can be
> >>President. You can never be pregnant. You can wear a white T-shirt to a
> >>water park. You can wear NO shirt to a water park. Car mechanics tell you
> >>the truth.. The world is your urinal. You never have to drive to another
> >>gas station restroom because this one is just too icky. You don't have to
> >>stop and think of which way to turn a nut on a bolt. Same work, more pay.
> >>Wrinkles add character. Wedding dress $5000. Tux rental-$100. People never
> >>stare at your chest when you're talking to them. The occasional
> >>well-rendered belch is practically expected. New shoes don't cut, blister,
> >>or mangle your feet. One mood all the time.
> >>
> >>Phone conversations are over in 30 seconds flat. You know stuff about
> >>tanks. A five-day vacation requires only one suitcase. You can open all
> >>your own jars. You get extra credit for the slightest act of
> >>thoughtfulness. If someone forgets to invite you, he or she can still be
> >>your friend.
> >>
> >>Your underwear is $8.95 for a three-pack. Three pairs of shoes are more
> >>than enough. You almost never have strap problems in public. You are
> >>unable to see wrinkles in your clothes. Everything on your face stays its
> >>original color. The same hairstyle lasts for years, maybe decades. You
> >>only have to shave your face and neck.
> >>
> >>You can play with toys all your life. Your belly usually hides your big
> >>hips. One wallet and one pair of shoes -- one color for all seasons. You
> >>can wear shorts no matter how your legs look. You can 'do' your nails with
> >>a pocket knife. You have freedom of choice concerning growing a mustache.
> >>
> >>You can do Christmas shopping for 25 relatives on December 24 in 25
> >>minutes
> >>
> >>No wonder men are happier.
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Trendy Tadpole
A friend of mine pointed a few of us in the right direction for back to school shopping! Any fans of AC/DC out there??!! Thought so! I grew up listening to that group and I know many of you will appreciate this tee! I just ordered Rianna and Jaden each one of them!!! Check it out: Trendy Tadpole
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
