Tomorrow is another day in history. I cannot help but to think that with everything that we deal with every single day...tomorrow will be another day that will become history. Tomorrow will become another day. I...for some reason gather my thoughts at night.... think about how you can change tomorrow. Tonight as your head hits your pillow think about how you can change tomorrow for the good.
February 26, 1932 Adolf Hitler became a citizen of Germany. February 26, 1969, the Beatles began recording Abbey Road, and on February 26th, 1982 the final episode of the Lawrence Welk Show was aired. How will tomorrow be remembered by you or better yet...from you? Fill in the blank for yourself either by commenting to the blog or to yourself. Today (or tomorrow...depending on when you are reading this....my Repurpose for today is......"
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Have you ever wished you had more than two arms? There was so much that needed to be done that... if only you had another set of arms or hands, then...things would have been easier.
This got me thinking that having another set of arms could go in the complete opposite direction. Being a mom is a huge job and responsibility. Like a lot of moms out there, I am a working mom. When my head lifts off of my pillow every morning at 5:30am...I am in "go mode." I get myself ready for work, wake up the kids then head downstairs to help my husband get breakfast ready. Once we head out the door and I know my babies have their homework, lunches, and are dressed properly, my day begins. I am the performing arts teacher at our school. We have multiple performances throughout the year which I am very proud of. Because we are a small school, we are invested in these kids and what we believe in, which means we have a lot to do. There have been multiple times I have wanted an extra pair of hands at work as well. Once we get home from school, soccer, girl scouts, or any other event we have going on...you all know, it's homework, dinner, bath, and bed time. We are in go mode once again. Usually while I am heating either leftovers or cooking dinner, my husband helps with homework. We try to make it a point to sit down together every night and have a meal where we talk about our day. This is my absolute favorite part of my day. With all of this said, yes, there are times that an extra pair of arms would be nice, however, with all that we juggle, maybe this has been a sign to slow down. God gave us one pair of arms and legs. He knew what He was doing. We are not made to have so many arms. We are not made to juggle so many multiple things at once, because when we do... we miss out on what we are suppose to do at that current moment. Imagine having 8 legs like this octopus! Think about how insane our lives would be! I am so glad that I have one pair of arms and legs. I am an overachiever and would probably miss out on a lot if I had more. My Repurpose for today : Be thankful that I have one arm for my daughter and one arm for my son...having more than two would not allow me to give them the hugs that they need or better yet...I need for myself. According to Greek mythology owls were considered wise because they were affiliated to Athena, the goddess of wisdom. Most owls have nocturnal vision and have the amazing ability to turn their heads around to see many different angles. As a kid my husband had a family password. If someone were to come pick up my husband from school, a friend's house, etc. and he was unaware of this pick up, he would need to ask that person for a password so he knew whether or not to go with them. Their password was "hootie hoot." As funny as that sounds, how wise?! We have all been in the situation where something comes up and as parents we need help! We need someone to get our kids so we can handle the other situation that is going on at that moment. Growing up we had a passwords as well. It was not as funny as "hootie hoot," but was yet, still something I knew I had to ask in order to go with that person. As a mom, I have had to share with my kids (unfortunately) some scary situations about what would happen if they were to go with a stranger...no matter what that stranger offers them. Today, I see owls everywhere. I see owls on top of supermarkets, on top of malls, even in stores. Do people crave the feeling of wisdom or do they just like what owls look like? Solomon once asked for wisdom and it was granted upon him. Now that I am "slowly" (or so I am telling myself) getting older....wisdom is something that I long for almost more than anything. With wisdom I can determine almost anything from money to huge life situations. My married name in German is "wise." It is an honor but yet something to live up to. I pray that God gives me the wisdom to be the best person, but yet the best mom. Whether teaching my kids a silly saying so they know whether or not to get in a car with someone or simply knowing whether or not the next decision I make is wise enough to make or break my day... being wise is something I long and pray for. I pray this for myself, but even more, I want my kids to be wise. I want my kids to have the wisdom to handle situations that I was not wise enough to handle. I want them to have the wisdom to say "no." I want them to have the wisdom to know that when everyone else is doing something, they can stand up and make the right decision whether or not it is hard or easy. An owl can turn it's head all the way around. I tell my kids that I have eyes in the back of my head...they are now getting older and know that is not true, however, my decisions I make during the day are watched from all angles. They watch my every move whether or not THEY can turn their heads all the way around. Am I being wise in my decisions? With their eyes watching, am I wise enough to show them strength? My Repurpose for today : being wise might be showing some weaknesses....even when I am scared to say "no" when everyone else says "yes." Are you one of those people who doubts yourself or who you are?
Yesterday, our school had a Talent Show (this is something that has not been done in while). Yesterday I witnessed kids that barely talk, communicate or have relationships with their peers or teachers perform amazing acts of talent...they came out in a different way. Kids sang, danced, dressed in costume, did magic tricks, and transformed into what to many seemed uncomfortable, but to them was just "fun!" I could not help but watch all of these children and think to myself, "what amazing courage?!" I would never have the courage to get up on stage by myself and do what I witnessed yesterday (especially in front of kids...the biggest critics of today!) One thing I enjoyed watching yesterday and hope that my two kids learned... is that the kids that performed were themselves! They did not care! Their audience was shocked, amazed and stunned by what they witnessed to kids who were once quiet and to themselves. The stage allowed them to shine and let loose. As I watched I saw something that I hope that I can honestly learn from as a mom and as a person....be yourself. When it comes to the end...what will I be the most proud of? Will I be proud of getting the approval of others or the approval of myself and the ones that really matter? I am sooo proud of my students and can't wait to watch them grow and hope that I continue to grow...to not care....except only what I really care about. The faces that are shown above are my two babies who didn't have a worry in the world or care about what anyone thought. There was a pure, sweet, moment where they did not have a care in the world but to have fun! There was no knowledge of judgement or fear of what people think. They let their talents shine without the stage. I can remember going to a recording studio as a kid and being "behind the scenes." I was in my own world while I made my very own CD. I did not have to be on a stage to have fun. I felt like a super star! MOTH Music Services Inc. offers a way for kids and adults to shine on stage or behind the stage. From recording, performances, or one on one lessons, people have the ability to let their talent shine!! The talent inside of us all can be revealed while one as fun! Some of us need that extra boost and that is just what they offer! My Repurpose for today: To learn that what I care about is what I should only care about. In lieu of this past President's Day weekend I thought I would end on one note...
" Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected president of the United States the year I was born and served four terms as president. I remember the day he died. We were living in Toomsboro, GA where my mother worked as a bookkeeper at a lumber company. President Roosevelt died April 12, 1945 of a cerebral hemorrhage at the “Little White House” in Warm Springs, GA, a very short time before the end of World War II. I remember the funeral train carrying his body back to Washington, DC. The train left Warm Springs about 9:05 AM, April 13, and the windows of the train car holding the coffin were left open and the coffin was easily visible. The train moved slowly north with thousands of people lining the tracks at every railroad crossing and town through which the train passed. It was a sad time for America. It was too bad that he passed away just several weeks before the end of World War II." - Donald B. Griffin The man that wrote this remembers the coffin was open, remembers how so many people lined the streets, and remembered a great man who sadly did not see the end of something he worked so hard at accomplishing. I had to end tonight with once with one last President's Day fact. We ate our chili, cast our votes, and my kids came home and had even more knowledge from things they learned at school! As I read this once again, something I have read before, I could not help but think about things that we start. How many things do we have going on right now? How many events do I have on my calendar? How many projects am I am working on at one time? How many? I have so many things going on that I have dropped the ball a couple times in the last couple of weeks. I have forgotten things. I also have A LOT coming up with the last three months of school approaching very fast. With all of these words said, I need to learn to live in the present. A close friend of mine today reminded me to live in the present. I need to not look at my past. I need to not focus on my future (to some extent), but keep my eye on what is happening now. I do not want my present to pass me by that I miss out before my next big event. I do not want my present to pass me by that my frustrations take over my happiness. Macaiden reminds me a lot that I am never going to get back this moment. He is right. What road will I continue on? What road will I travel? Donald B. Griffin is my grandfather. He has seen so much in his past years. I have so much to learn from him and I would love to be able to spend more time in his presence just to hear more words of wisdom from him and my grandmother. My Repurpose for today : Try not to make my todays just a "I will remember," but a lasting impression on my kids and also...me. After 4 days of learning about the presidents (well...some of them)....we have placed our ballots in our ballot box and voted for who we thought was the best leader. Today the kids and I made the White House out of popcicle sticks and made a ballot box. We have had a blast learning about Washington, Jefferson, Monroe, Jackson, Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, FDR, JFK, and, Reagan. Tonight at dinner, Macaiden asked, "daddy, who invented the presidents?" I thought that was a great question. Why do we have presidents? Why do we have leaders? Justin gave him the brief history reason about why it is that we have leaders in our country and expressed how grateful we need to be that we live in this free country... but... that question also got me thinking about so many other things. We have presidents to carry out the laws passed by Congress as well as to be the Commander and Chief of the military. Now, the kids have always asked who we vote for and we do not tell them. Number one, Justin is a history teacher and we do not want his opinion to get out to the students, and number two, we have told them how people tend to argue a lot over politics...so...I am not going to go into all of that. However, if the president's job is to carry out the laws and be the Commander and Chief, I then thought about the job of us as parents. I want my kids to have their own opinions about politics but I know that it is my job to instill in them morals and beliefs that we as a family have. I am super grateful that my kids are very open with me (for now anyway). This was something that I was not able to be with my parents. I would always shut down and I never liked to talk to them one on one...I wrote letters instead...not the best way to communicate. I hope that being the Commander and Chief along side Justin, I am able to carry out the laws in our house and show my kids the difference between right and wrong. We did not go into all of the "wrong doings" that different presidents have done. We did however, address that I would never want to be the president because no matter what I would do there would always be someone who would disapprove of my decision. There would always be a group who thought they could do it better. As a parent, I can say that I am blessed to have a husband who approves of my decisions when it comes to how I want to raise my kids and I feel the same way towards him. We are a joint team and are hoping to instill some good values and beliefs in our babies. No matter what World War you feel like you are fighting with you kids (and trust me we have them in our house... A LOT)...remember that you are Commander and Chief of your household and your kids respect that, maybe not when they are in trouble, but they will. They love you and are looking for direction. The president that had the most votes tonight was FDR....Maddie said that she thought he was the best president because he had courage to stand up when no one knew he was paralyzed or had a disease... and he was able to conquer so many things. How true Maddie!! I hope that we can do that today. I am so proud that she got that message on her own and was able to remember that out of all the presidents about which we learned. My Repurpose for today: Remember my Commander and Chief decisions might not be approved by my kids now but will make a lasting impact....how will I make my decisions today? Justin and I are trying to make certain holidays or special days learning experiences! This weekend, as you know, is President's Day. We are continuing teaching the kids about the presidents and how America came to be. We are all four learning the song, "50 Nifty United States." This songs teaches us all 50 states in alphabetical order and is so much fun to learn. Each president has had their favorite food and if you know me at all...I LOVE to cook! It has been a BLAST to have the kids help me cook while we learn about the presidents! You have already seen the cherry pie that we made but I thought why not go ahead and made a dish that our current president loves. After all....that is the only president that my son knows. Barrack Obama's favorite food is chili. I do not know if my recipe would match up to his but my recipe is : saute an onion, part of a jalepeno (depending on spice) and garlic in button or olive oil. Add salt and pepper and a splash of lemon juice. Add ground beef and cook until done. Let the flavors marinate together. Drain the fat. (if you like cheese in your chili, bring back to the saute pan and add some veleeta to the ground beef mixture before you add all ingredients) Combine 4 cans of tomato sauce and ground beef mixture. Drain dark, red kidney beans then add to the mixture. I never measure my chili powder because I like A LOT. Depending on the spiceyness add some cayenne pepper. I also had about 1/4 cup of sugar. Let it get hot and serve the best way you like it! Tonight Justin made AMAZING corks out of states! This has been a learning experience for the kids! They are learning their states in alphabetical order while we learn the song. Moms....if you want a fun idea for kids to have extra fun or make a learning experience...take equal parts of corn starch and water. Add your favorite food coloring and it becomes liquid sidewalk chalk. We have made the states with the kids! They have had a blast making designs with their liquid sidewalk chalk and again...have made learning fun! My Repurpose for today: Remember that cooking and the extra time I take... creates memories! Do you ever get so excited on Christmas Eve that it is difficult to sleep? Last night was one of those nights for me. I was so excited for my kids to wake up and see their Valentine's Day gifts. Our family is obsessed with Charlie Brown, so I got them the Charlie Brown Valentine. They are my M & M's (Maddie and Macaiden), so I had to get them M&M's. They are my Life Savor's...so I had to get them some Life Savor Candy. This morning we made cinnamon rolls and surprised them with their Valentine Gifts.
My kids are my everything. With that said, my kids would not be here today without my husband. I could not go another night without posting something about the man who has changed my life. Last year, Justin and I went to the Food and Wine Festival at EPCOT (one of my favorite places in the world), and with all of the dates we have been on this is one that sticks out. We had fun. Not just any fun. We were able to hang out and have fun with one another. Justin and I have known each other since we were four years old. Yes, some of you are thinking, how is that possible? However, marrying your best friend has been the best gift ever. Justin and I met when our parent's became friends in 1989. My family moved to Miami, Florida in 1994. However, our families stayed in touch. We went on summer vacations together, and made our yearly visits. I chased Justin the whole time. I went to Florida State University and Justin went to the University of Florida. Let's just say...I was in Gainesville more than I was in Tallahassee. And...my Maddie was made and born. With all of that said...Justin and I were "forced" to grow up very quickly. I was all of a sudden an 20 year old. A wife, and a mom....all in the same time raising, cooking, cleaning, and helping my new husband finish his degree and keep a job at the same time. Did I know what love was...no...I know that sounds bad. I did not know what love was. Maddie changed my life...however...I thought I had married the love of my life. I did not. My relationship today with my husband is nothing I can explain. Yes, we were young and immature. We have made so many mistakes and with how quickly time has flown the mistakes have grown...however...I can honestly say that with the talks, tears, smiles, and laughs, Justin and I are different people than were almost 10 years ago. We are different people than we were 5 years ago. I know now I married the love of my life. Time changes you. I do not know if that is what makes you a stronger person or grows one's relationship, but I feel my love for my husband is different than it was yesterday or even a year ago. Justin has given me a repurpose. Our song has always been Ben Fold's, The Luckiest and now it means more. "I don't get many things right the first time, in fact I am told that a lot, now I know all the wrong turns and stumbles and falls brought me here. Now it was right before the day that I first saw your lovely face, now that I see it everyday...and I know...that I AM, I AM, I AM the luckiest." Justin, I am the luckiest. I love you and YOU have repurposed my life. My repurpose for today : Remember that my husband reminds me everyday that I am the luckiest...maybe I should remind myself that...I AM the luckiest because because I married Justin. Being a teacher and a mom I LONG for those 3 day weekends. We are coming up on President's Day weekend. I figured...why not make it a fun learning experience?! Justin (my husband) teaches history. He loves it so I decided to utilize his knowledge about our founding fathers as well as the other presidents.
When the four of us got in the car and began our journey home, I said, "I have a President's Day activity for us to do!" Maddie (being exhausted from a day of work - or so she thinks in her little 3rd grade mind) responded with "what? more work?" I explained that my work is fun work! Once we got home and homework was complete, I pulled out my President's Day Rap song (thanks mom and dad)! Even Justin enjoyed this one! :) We then made our homemade cherry pie! I printed out pictures of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Andrew Jackson, Abraham Lincoln, and FDR. While we ate dinner our history lesson began. Justin explained how each one of these men did something meaningful. When we got to talking about territories, Justin explained how Spain once owed Florida. My sweet baby boy then asked, "how did Spain move Florida all the way over to where we are now!??!!" Oh how I love those sweet, innocent, and sincere comments and questions. There were a lot of questions and I absolutely loved watching their expressions when they had to think about slaves, hardships, assassinations, and even fractions (referring to territories). It is difficult and hard to explain sad things in life. I remember when my kids were babies thinking about how they knew nothing. There was innocence. It is difficult to watch it go away with information that I give them from past history or decisions people make. We talked about how the cherry tree story from George Washington is a fable but... is a great lesson to receive and is also a valuable moral. George Washington expressed the importance of telling the truth and who doesn't need a reminder of that?! The above picture are images from this evenings events. There will be many more to come as President's Day has still yet to come. We are on our adventure to learn about different presidents in the next 4 days. The phrase "pin it" has become very popular in the world wide web. Well, tonight I encourage you to pin your pictures. Get your old cork boards out and reminisce old photos. Re-create memories and relive the loving moments you once had or want to hold on to. I am having SO much fun coming up with ideas to create memories my kids and will hopefully hold onto forever. How will my kids re-pin me one day? My Repurpose for today: Keep pinning my ideas so my kids will one day want to re-pin me! We are getting ready to celebrate Grandparent's Day at our school. I decided the theme for this year would be "Through the Decades." I absolutely love spending time with older generations and hear their stories and... their many words of wisdom. I used to LOVE rocking Maddie to sleep when she was a baby. I would make up songs and then sing familiar songs to her as well. Getting ready for Grandparent's Day, the 2nd graders are learning the song "ABC" by the Jackson 5. I know that the lyrics were written for a girl that they loved but after hearing and singing the words I could not help but think about me and Maddie. "You went to school to learn girl, things you never never knew before. Like I before E except after C and how 2 + 2 makes 4, now now now I'm gunna teach you...all about love girl. Sit yourself down and take a seat and all you gotta do is repeat after me. ABC, easy as 123, as simple as DO RE MI, ABC, 123, you and me girl." Maddie is learning grammar and math in school (some things that I do not do that well in). The one thing that school cannot teach her is "all about love!" I, as a mom, need to remember to sit her down more often and teach her about love. Not, necessarily sex (although that talk is coming soon), but show her how to love. Show her how I love her daddy so one day she can love the husband God gives her. I need to show her love through patience. I need to show her love by listening. I need to show her love through just being there when she needs me. This wreath is made from some of Maddie and Macaiden's old puzzle pieces that they have outgrown. It was sad for me to make this tonight. I remember sitting on the floor in our tiny apartment in Gainesville trying so hard to teach Maddie her letters. I would get so excited when Justin came home from classes just to show him what Maddie had learned that day. Macaiden still loves puzzles to this day, but sadly has outgrown the alphabet puzzle as well. One thing that I do not want my kids to outgrow is them knowing that their mom is here to "sit down" and just be there for them. With the help of their school and teachers they are learning the basics in education, but it is my job to help mold them before they get to the point where "listening" becomes a chore for them. Molding may not be as simple as ABC or 123 but it will always be me and them...that love surpasses all things. My Repurpose for today : Show my kids that my love is more than just ABC's, 123's, and hugs and kisses, but love through all things. How do we spend our Saturday? As if everything else we do isn't enough....we completely remodeled a sitting room that we had no idea what to do with. Ever since our Christmas Holiday, Justin and I have begun to "repurpose" many items in our house. I have mentioned that we are both teachers, well, again, being teachers, we find ways to be frugal. I absolutely love the shabby chic look. I have taken many pieces of my furniture and have given them a "repurpose..." to give them the look I love.
Being young and having to begin "adulthood" (if that is what you want to call it) a little early, we were given many hand-me-down objects and pieces of furniture. I treasure each and every one of them. It brings me joy to take items that were once my parents, grandparents, or even some of my old, dorm room pieces and changing them to fit my "today" style. The pictures above shows pallet wood covering a wall, my dorm room desk with a fresh coat of paint, a bookshelf turned to it's side with chalkboard paint and then turned into cubbies,... an old CD case was repurposed by taking off the door, turned to it's side, added chalkboard paint, and made into holders for the items I need to make things. Justin took 2 by 4's and pallet wood and then made me a shelf, along with some chains, and this has turned into one of my favorite pieces of furniture! We have been having so much fun inventing and coming up with designs for our own shop: www.etsy.com/shop/macmaddies I have shared my story with so many people and I pray that my story helps young woman out there. Growing up as a pastor's kid, becoming pregnant before I was married was a devastating thing. I have come to realize that I was not the only "sneaking around..." I was just the one that got caught. Well...in this case, being caught changed my life and was one of the very best things that happened to me....My Repurpose began! You can't see it from these pictures, but on the opposite walls, I have a picture of my two babies, and then I have a picture of Justin and myself from when we were 5 and 6 years old. I told him today that I HAD to hang that picture because that is where it started. We have both learned that we are not the same people we were then, we are not the same people we were in high school, we are even not the same people that we were when we found out we were pregnant with my precious child who is asleep upstairs. Every year changes....there is one thing that never changes...once I found out that I was pregnant, it was no longer about me. Maddie repurposed my life and I guess if something had to change... I did. Just like my furniture, my marriage (for the better each and every day), seasons, and also every year brings something new...My life changed because I became pregnant. If you want to give your life a repurpose, you do not have to have money, find love, or even get pregnant. My faith and love for God is enough. When there is nothing else, rely on your faith...that is one thing that I know WILL NEVER need a repurpose or change. Justin and I have repurposed a room and also repurpose our life each day... as we wake up not knowing what to expect but we know that our "purpose" is the same. My Repurpose for today: Realizing that the my "repurpose" has a new purpose. Tonight I watched the Opening Ceremony with my kids. I found a Kellog's commercial to be very true, but false at the same time. The Olympians are focused on the finish line. They want to win! They want that medal. Teachers look forward to the finish line, people look forward to the finish line (retirement), and the list goes on.
Tonight the starting line was mentioned to be the most important part, I disagree. The starting line must happen in order to begin or even get to the finish line, however, I am learning that the in between is the best part. The ride. The journey. Now, I have mentioned that we all do things that are stupid and regret, looking back, it has made me a better person today. We experience things to make us wiser, give advice, and make us better people. I miss my babies being babies, but it is so much fun watching their personalities, sweetness, and characteristics come out. I could not have had the enjoyment to make these cupcakes with them, to talk about other countries, to just share these memories if they stayed babies. If I am constantly wanting to get to that finish line, I will have missed out on everything in between. If I focus on them being babies (they will of course always be my babies, but just need to realize that they are growing up), I will miss out on everything in between. I need to live in the present and enjoy the journey, otherwise my finish line will be useless and will have no meaning once I get there. My Repurpose for today : Enjoy the in betweens. Our pastor on Sunday gave an amazing analogy to the movie Les Miserables. He spoke about how the character Javert experienced forgiveness. He spoke how a man, who he had been persecuting throughout his life showed him freedom through a newness, free-ness, and forgiveness.
I cannot help but to think about a man, a father, an actor, an icon, and simply a person tonight... Phillip Seymour Hoffman. When I think back to his career, I think about...first...what amazing movies he made. Second...a pain, and a secret... third... someone who had been hiding something. Then, I begin to think about myself and the rest of the world. I have many secrets. Many secrets I keep to surprise the ones that I love. I want to share surprises, excitement, and the love I have for my closest family and friends. I also have secrets that I am most ashamed of. I pray everyday for forgiveness and know that those past mistakes are no longer me, they are no longer who I am. Last month Maddie got caught for hiding candy in her room (Again mom's I know I have it coming to me, but this is the stage that I am in). We tried (and hopefully got it through her head) that candy is something special. Hiding is something we are ashamed of. We told Maddie that if she is "hiding" candy in her room, she is afraid she is going to get caught and/or ashamed of it. Our kids are allowed to have candy but not on a regular basis. They must ask for permission. I guess Maddie got tired of asking for this permission. Well...after a LONG discussion about how this was wrong...we came to an agreement and found her boundaries. Maddie knows that we do not disapprove of candy but knows that we simply want our kids to ask because we care about their health. I think she finally got it! As soon as I heard the news of Phillip Seymour Hoffman, I could not help but to think about an everyday man, who had a secret. Many people think of movie stars as ones who have everything. Why?...they are just people... who are actually and probably experiencing more temptation that we could even imagine. An amazing actor was experiencing a secret and a pain that we do not know. He was in his tiny birdhouse. He did not want anyone to know his secret, including his kids. Aren't we all in a comparable situation? I do not want my kids to know my past. I do not want them to know the regret I have. I do not want them to know the pain I have brought to others. I no longer have to ask permission to my parents to do things. But....I now have to ask myself permission to do a lot. Many times temptation kicks in...but...then regret sinks in further (if I choose the wrong choice) and then... I want to escape to my tiny bird house. I am so sad that people who I thought were icons are now gone...but then again...I have two babies (generally speaking) asleep upstairs that I am an icon to. Maybe I should rethink how I should live my "secrets..." I hope I never have to share my regrets with them...maybe I should stop my regrets now, today. My repurpose of today: TRY to live each moment outside of the birdhouse so my kids and others can see me outside of my regrets. Experience the forgiveness of my friends, family, and kids. "Mommy, are these Uncle Caleb's jeans?" Having no idea what Macaiden was talking about, I replied "no, what are you talking about?" Macaiden then went on explaining his reasoning. He had thought that the jeans that were laid out for him to wear this morning were his Uncle Caleb's when he was a little boy. Macaiden went on to say that he thought he looked a lot like Uncle Caleb today because he thought the jeans he was wearing looked like his uncle's.
Both of my kids LOVE their aunt and uncle. They are both really beginning to take in what they say and what we say or even look like as parents. I got very comfortable today after church. I had put on a tank top with some leggings and Maddie looked at me and asked, "why are you dressed like a teenager?" (secretly loving that comment) I could not help but think about a game that many adults play...Scrabble! As we get older Scrabble is as a social game, a competetive game, a mind enhancing game, or just a game to pass the time. As a kid it is all of that, however, it is a game to where a child learns how to spell! Why do we take a spelling game and turn it into a competition? Why do we associate a pair of jeans to an icon's wardrobe? My kids had their very first Root Beer float tonight! Let's just say they LOVED it! I love that taste. I love the taste and the reminder of a Root Beer float. I thought it was the coolest thing ever when I was a kid. Why don't I anymore? As a kid... I remember wanting to grow up. I remember wanting to be "cool," wanting to wear what certain people were wearing. I even tried talking like people were talking....that never worked out so good for me...when I (Chelsea) said ****, the crowd gasped and looked at me like, "did the preacher's kid really say that?" The point is, the point I want to make to my kids is that they, YOU, are beautiful just the way we are. Even though Macaiden wants to look like his uncle, even though Scrabble has changed over time because of our competiveness, even though our taste buds change... time flies by like I have been saying...please remember that they are beautiful just they way they are. Maybe I should go back to remember when a Root Beer float was the best taste. I loved them, they made me happy, and now they remind me of my childhood. Someone once told me to raise the kids that God gave me... not the kids that I wish God had given me. That is so true. They are beautiful just the way they are. I am having to realize that as they grow and want to be like certain people, I need to remind them (or maybe show them the half time show of this night's super bowl) that their choice in games, their certain tastes, their clothing choice, or even their word choice is who they are or but yet... how people will remember them. What will their choices be? How do they want to be remembered? My repurpose for today: Maybe I should remind myself that I am beautiful just the way I am...maybe this was a wake up call to myself. |
AuthorI am an everyday mom who likes everyday things. I love taking everyday items and giving them a repurpose. Our number one seller is our candles! Archives
October 2019
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