The older I get the more I notice how much STUFF we have and...how much more STUFF we want, as a society. We have tons more that we did 20 or so years ago, but....we still want more. Kids have more toys, adults have more toys! We have bigger houses, more cars and take vacations on planes instead of in a trailer. And yet...we are not content.
The Internet has added a whole other arena of creating wants. Kids no longer have to wait for parents to go shopping, they can do it from home. Creating lusts for all the world has to offer. Every year at this time, we are bombarded with ads, coupons and specials. All, so we can go out and buy more but, is more...the answer?
I've had less in my life and I have had more, but neither one is what has brought me true joy, contentment. Some of my most creative days, were when I was poorer. On the other hand, having more money was really nice. I enjoyed not worrying about paying bills. But I was both happy and sad, tired and stressed, etc. Spiders make webs in mansions as well as shacks.
Wanting not only includes material things, but relationships, fame and even substances. All which we crave to fill ourselves...to make us happy.
Look around you, at wealthy people, at the famous at people who used substances to bring peace and contentment to their hearts. Does it work? Ha...of course not.
Define contentment: "Contentment" seems realistically defined as "enjoyment of whatever may be desired." That definition is realistic because the more contented an individual or community becomes the less extreme so more acceptable their desires will be.
Contentment is not about what you HAVE but what your WANT.
Are you content? If not, then your desires are wrong. Ha, bold statement I know, but...it's not mine. I'm just repeating it. Psalms 37:4 says: Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
When I was a new Christian I believed that God would give me all that I desired if I delighted in him. I soon realized that was not what this verse meant. Let me say it simply...If we find our delight in God...our desires will change. We will no longer desire with lust new material things, relationships or substances to fulfill us. God will fulfill us. It's not that we can't have what we desire...we just desire the wrong things.
I wrote a drama once that depicted a young girl. She was lonely and thought a relationship would make her happy. She got a boyfriend, but... that didn't fulfill her. So she got married and then of course...she was not content. So she had a baby. Ugh...well we all know married people and parents that are still lonely, still wanting, still not content. We all see rich people who are miserable. So, we know that what this world has to offer...does not fill us up. These are the desires that leave us empty!
This is a great time of year to ask yourself...What do you desire? Are you content? The things of this world can be wonderful, exciting and fulfilling, but they can never feed the eternal soul that God created.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Ugh!
My truck has a trunk door that closes with a push of a button.
However, I chose to close it manually. Right on my head!
After going through my usual pain language of ouchshhhhhes, I received
a text message from my husband proclaiming his love and wishing me a
wonderful day.
I returned his text with a very thankful response because of the
traumatic occurrence I had just suffered through. To which he
replied...
Should have used the blonde's close button.
:O
However, I chose to close it manually. Right on my head!
After going through my usual pain language of ouchshhhhhes, I received
a text message from my husband proclaiming his love and wishing me a
wonderful day.
I returned his text with a very thankful response because of the
traumatic occurrence I had just suffered through. To which he
replied...
Should have used the blonde's close button.
:O
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
If you give a blonde a Neti Pot...
I have had a cold for over a week and still have the headache, congestion etc. Don't believe I have an infection, but thought that I would try the Neti Pot thing that everyone brags about.
First mistake...thinking that I could do it myself without buying a Neti Pot or solution. I filled up a squirt bottle with lukewarm water and a pinch of salt. Leaned over the sink and began what I thought would be a simple task.
As I squirted the salt water through one nostril, the first thing that I felt was stinging! I jumped around doing the "o" dance. You know, where you hold the ailing body part and dance around saying "oh, oh, oh!" After composing myself I began again. This time it shot down my throat. I had read not to swallow, but to blow it back out my nose. Blowing back out my nose caused more stinging, more dancing and consequently choking from the solution running down my throat. Not to mention running down the front of me and on to the floor. The choking then caused me to get asthma. So, I'm blowing, sucking, swallowing, coughing and wheezing...along with the dance.
Wiped my nose, used my inhaler and went to work...with a headache, leaky nose and the "Original Neti Pot" on my grocery list.
First mistake...thinking that I could do it myself without buying a Neti Pot or solution. I filled up a squirt bottle with lukewarm water and a pinch of salt. Leaned over the sink and began what I thought would be a simple task.
As I squirted the salt water through one nostril, the first thing that I felt was stinging! I jumped around doing the "o" dance. You know, where you hold the ailing body part and dance around saying "oh, oh, oh!" After composing myself I began again. This time it shot down my throat. I had read not to swallow, but to blow it back out my nose. Blowing back out my nose caused more stinging, more dancing and consequently choking from the solution running down my throat. Not to mention running down the front of me and on to the floor. The choking then caused me to get asthma. So, I'm blowing, sucking, swallowing, coughing and wheezing...along with the dance.
Wiped my nose, used my inhaler and went to work...with a headache, leaky nose and the "Original Neti Pot" on my grocery list.
Saturday, September 24, 2011
No Cold Medicine Required
So you got my back
My father lent me a hand
A cat got my tongue
Someone is pulling my leg
Someone else is twisting my arm
My Mom has her eye on me
But I do have a good head on my shoulders
Even though it might be half way up a gift horse's mouth
But here are my concerns
If I get a leg up and everyone is pulling the other one, then I land on my non existent back, cuz you got it.
Although I have eyes for Richie...I have 3 now, thanks to Mom
Not to mention that with 3 hands, I have lots of choices which one to give a "hand out".
The other two will be on the keyboard trying to communicate since
The cat got my tongue
Oh wait, one arm is being twisted o nooooooos!
This isn't a very attractive look on my good head sitting on my shoulders
Moral: Next time someone says they got your back....retrieve it and run!
Oh I know...this will all go in one ear... and out the other
Dedicated to my Mom's cliches and my Dad's kookie way of taking things literal. Love you!
My father lent me a hand
A cat got my tongue
Someone is pulling my leg
Someone else is twisting my arm
My Mom has her eye on me
But I do have a good head on my shoulders
Even though it might be half way up a gift horse's mouth
But here are my concerns
If I get a leg up and everyone is pulling the other one, then I land on my non existent back, cuz you got it.
Although I have eyes for Richie...I have 3 now, thanks to Mom
Not to mention that with 3 hands, I have lots of choices which one to give a "hand out".
The other two will be on the keyboard trying to communicate since
The cat got my tongue
Oh wait, one arm is being twisted o nooooooos!
This isn't a very attractive look on my good head sitting on my shoulders
Moral: Next time someone says they got your back....retrieve it and run!
Oh I know...this will all go in one ear... and out the other
Dedicated to my Mom's cliches and my Dad's kookie way of taking things literal. Love you!
Friday, September 23, 2011
Mommy Moments
OK, I am not and never have been a "perfect" Mom. I am however an experienced Mom. What this means is that I have had, and still do have many children, ages 13 through 28 years of age. I have made, and will still make many mistakes. Plus, I have children that span a large age range, so...I have experience with different ages also. This Experience does not make me so much smarter than everyone else, but this is experience that I would love to share with others.
I am a big proponent of women teaching other women. I have always watched and listened to other women for advice and answers to problems. Most of what I could share with you would be advice that I also learned from older more experienced Moms. That being said, I would like to share, from time to time, some really practical advice about being a Mommy. Hopefully, what I share will be helpful. I was also thinking that I wish I had done this years ago with my first child; so that, any time after, I could just tell the offending child to "go read my blog." :) ha ha ha
So today, I want to talk about something very practical that will help with a lot of unnecessary arguments between the kids: My older kids used to call "shotgun!", as they went to the car. Most of you know, this meant that they got the front seat. The problem with this system was that Shane was always quicker, so I had to tell Shane that is was Sean's turn and then I was the policeman of the front seat situation.
Any time that you can eliminate yourself from being a referee between your kids the better. So, my husband (not a older wiser woman/mommy, but...very wise), had a great idea: Our two younger kids have birth dates that are odd and even. So, on odd days, Josh gets the front seat and on even days, Ashlee does. This is awesome for these two espescially, because we share custody and we can't always be around to referee their arguments. They have adapted to this very well and we never have an argument about who rides in front. We also use this system to keep track of who's turn it is to do dishes and who's turn it is to empty the trash.
So, that's my Mommy Moment for today. Tons more coming soon!
Please tell us all if you have a great system also. Would love to hear from you!
I am a big proponent of women teaching other women. I have always watched and listened to other women for advice and answers to problems. Most of what I could share with you would be advice that I also learned from older more experienced Moms. That being said, I would like to share, from time to time, some really practical advice about being a Mommy. Hopefully, what I share will be helpful. I was also thinking that I wish I had done this years ago with my first child; so that, any time after, I could just tell the offending child to "go read my blog." :) ha ha ha
So today, I want to talk about something very practical that will help with a lot of unnecessary arguments between the kids: My older kids used to call "shotgun!", as they went to the car. Most of you know, this meant that they got the front seat. The problem with this system was that Shane was always quicker, so I had to tell Shane that is was Sean's turn and then I was the policeman of the front seat situation.
Any time that you can eliminate yourself from being a referee between your kids the better. So, my husband (not a older wiser woman/mommy, but...very wise), had a great idea: Our two younger kids have birth dates that are odd and even. So, on odd days, Josh gets the front seat and on even days, Ashlee does. This is awesome for these two espescially, because we share custody and we can't always be around to referee their arguments. They have adapted to this very well and we never have an argument about who rides in front. We also use this system to keep track of who's turn it is to do dishes and who's turn it is to empty the trash.
So, that's my Mommy Moment for today. Tons more coming soon!
Please tell us all if you have a great system also. Would love to hear from you!
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Duh
I'm taking cold medicine and well...it makes me a little scattered. So, needless to say, haven't thought of a thing to write a post about.
Some of the the things that have been going through my head are...Who has two heads? If two heads are better than one. I guess conjoined twins might, but...pretty sure they don't think that it's better. One head has to want to get away from the other head, at least once in awhile. And, if the early bird gets the worm, there are still a lot of worms left, not to worry. If all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, then I am Jack's wasted life. he he he
OK, so enough of my profound thoughts.
I'm so glad we had this time together
Just to have a laugh or sing a song
seems we just get started
then before you know it
comes the time we have to say
So long
Goodnight everybody!
Some of the the things that have been going through my head are...Who has two heads? If two heads are better than one. I guess conjoined twins might, but...pretty sure they don't think that it's better. One head has to want to get away from the other head, at least once in awhile. And, if the early bird gets the worm, there are still a lot of worms left, not to worry. If all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, then I am Jack's wasted life. he he he
OK, so enough of my profound thoughts.
I'm so glad we had this time together
Just to have a laugh or sing a song
seems we just get started
then before you know it
comes the time we have to say
So long
Goodnight everybody!
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Happy Birthday Avery!
Until I had a child, I had no idea how much I would love this baby, nor what it felt like to be a Mom. Likewise, with being a Grandma. Yesterday was Avery's 1st Birthday. I wanted to put it words what it means to be a grandma, since no one could give me a really precise idea of it, when I was looking forward to Avery's birth. Well, now I know. Now I know why no one could really put it in words. There aren't any.
There are somethings in life that only experience can teach you. I don't believe you can ever know how it feels to be a grandparent, until you are one. Just as you can never know a parent's love until you are a parent. I know, I know that there might be some of you out there that might be offended by my comments. I have wonderful friends that do not have children. I can't imagine how you have dealt with this. But, I stand by my opinion that just as you cannot know what it's like to have a child, I don't know what it would be like if I hadn't had any. Does this make sense?
Some knowledge can only be attained by experience. Little side note: Be careful when you feel critical of someone, if you have not walked in their shoes. You never know how you're going to handle something unless you are faced with it. Then and only then can you give good counsel and/or criticism.
OK...back to being a Grandma. I was talking with a Grandpa the other day. He was talking about his grandchildren and I was talking about mine. I paused and he said "I know...he has your heart." THAT, is the best that I can do, at describing how it feels. Avery has my heart. I get tears in my eyes just typing that.
Yesterday I went to see him on his Birthday. I love the way he smiles when he sees me. I got on my hands and knees and chased him around the house. He laughed, screamed with excitement, gave me slobbery kisses and hugs. This has to be what Heaven is like. he he he
Happy Birthday Avery, my heart, my grandson. I love you!
There are somethings in life that only experience can teach you. I don't believe you can ever know how it feels to be a grandparent, until you are one. Just as you can never know a parent's love until you are a parent. I know, I know that there might be some of you out there that might be offended by my comments. I have wonderful friends that do not have children. I can't imagine how you have dealt with this. But, I stand by my opinion that just as you cannot know what it's like to have a child, I don't know what it would be like if I hadn't had any. Does this make sense?
Some knowledge can only be attained by experience. Little side note: Be careful when you feel critical of someone, if you have not walked in their shoes. You never know how you're going to handle something unless you are faced with it. Then and only then can you give good counsel and/or criticism.
OK...back to being a Grandma. I was talking with a Grandpa the other day. He was talking about his grandchildren and I was talking about mine. I paused and he said "I know...he has your heart." THAT, is the best that I can do, at describing how it feels. Avery has my heart. I get tears in my eyes just typing that.
Yesterday I went to see him on his Birthday. I love the way he smiles when he sees me. I got on my hands and knees and chased him around the house. He laughed, screamed with excitement, gave me slobbery kisses and hugs. This has to be what Heaven is like. he he he
Happy Birthday Avery, my heart, my grandson. I love you!
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