I often hear others complain about "kids these days". I see people posting things on Facebook about how when we were young we went outside to play and rode bikes. We didn't have cell phones we actually talked on a land line and gasp....we had dial up Internet not wifi. These people complain about how spoiled kids are, how entitled kids are and how they don't know how to work.
I have this to say to those complaints....aren't we the parents of these kids? Who is buying these kids cell phones and ipads? Who is allowing these kids to play video games all day? Isn't it us? If we don't like the way this generation is being raised then shouldn't we raise our children differently?
I know we are only responsible for our children and not all of the kids of the world but couldn't the change start with just our kids?
Tuesday, February 17, 2015
Sunday, February 15, 2015
The Journey
It's been a year since I last posted. I think when I started this blog I expected to be able to write more frequently. Having a full time job, being a mom to 4 boys, and running a house seems to get in the way of things like sitting down and blogging.
Here I am though, it's 10:30pm and while everyone else in the house is sleeping I am sitting on the couch reflecting on life.
So much has changed lately and things will continue to do so. I never knew it was possible to feel so many emotions at once. There are things that make me sad and yet hopeful at the same time. One thing is that my parents sold my childhood home. I am sad to see it go. It's a place where I feel safe and familiar and yet I am excited for my parents to be able to not have to worry about another property and the financial freedom that the sale will allow them.
Another one of those is my sister in law, brother in law and my nephew have moved to Idaho. I'm sad because we will no longer be a 5 minute drive away and I won't get to experience things like going to my nephew's baseball games or getting together on holidays. However, I am extremely understanding of the desire to move someplace where you have room to breathe, a place that's safer and cleaner for the kids to grow up. I am excited for them as they begin their new adventure and can't wait for the good things that are in store for them.
There is one more big event that has happened to our family and that is the passing of our Grandma. She died one week before her 91st birthday. The other day I was sweeping the floor and just began to tear up. I miss her so. I miss how she used to call and leave the same message on my voice mail every time she called. (Selena, please call me.) I miss how Evan used to whisper in her ear and ask for a cookie and she used to smile and of course say yes. I miss how she used to read the kids books and when they were little she loved when they crawled up and sat in her lap. I miss watching tv with her and find myself wanting to watch Lifetime movies in her honor with the volume on the tv up real loud. She just always loved us. All of us. She held all of us together.
There are always things in this life that change. Some change hurts, some change feels uncomfortable and some change is for the better. Even the people in our lives change. Some people leave our lives because they have to, some choose to go, some move on but stay close to your heart. I don't know what the future holds for me but I know that I am extremely blessed and my prayer is that I make a difference the way others have made a difference for me.
Here I am though, it's 10:30pm and while everyone else in the house is sleeping I am sitting on the couch reflecting on life.
So much has changed lately and things will continue to do so. I never knew it was possible to feel so many emotions at once. There are things that make me sad and yet hopeful at the same time. One thing is that my parents sold my childhood home. I am sad to see it go. It's a place where I feel safe and familiar and yet I am excited for my parents to be able to not have to worry about another property and the financial freedom that the sale will allow them.
Another one of those is my sister in law, brother in law and my nephew have moved to Idaho. I'm sad because we will no longer be a 5 minute drive away and I won't get to experience things like going to my nephew's baseball games or getting together on holidays. However, I am extremely understanding of the desire to move someplace where you have room to breathe, a place that's safer and cleaner for the kids to grow up. I am excited for them as they begin their new adventure and can't wait for the good things that are in store for them.
There is one more big event that has happened to our family and that is the passing of our Grandma. She died one week before her 91st birthday. The other day I was sweeping the floor and just began to tear up. I miss her so. I miss how she used to call and leave the same message on my voice mail every time she called. (Selena, please call me.) I miss how Evan used to whisper in her ear and ask for a cookie and she used to smile and of course say yes. I miss how she used to read the kids books and when they were little she loved when they crawled up and sat in her lap. I miss watching tv with her and find myself wanting to watch Lifetime movies in her honor with the volume on the tv up real loud. She just always loved us. All of us. She held all of us together.
There are always things in this life that change. Some change hurts, some change feels uncomfortable and some change is for the better. Even the people in our lives change. Some people leave our lives because they have to, some choose to go, some move on but stay close to your heart. I don't know what the future holds for me but I know that I am extremely blessed and my prayer is that I make a difference the way others have made a difference for me.
Friday, April 11, 2014
Different Doesn't Mean Weird
Every year I take my class on a 3 day field trip to a working horse ranch called Rawhide Ranch. Today I came home from that trip and felt the need to say something. A few times I was told "it must be like a vacation for you without your kids." So let me get this clear, you think that leaving my 4 kids and husband at home for 3 days to come take care of 9 other kids who are all trying new things and having all kinds of mixed emotions about it is a vacation? Those same 9 kids are spending 2 nights away from home in a society where most kids have never spent a night away from home before and now they are getting homesick. Please don't get me wrong, I have a good time on the trip. It is awesome to see 3rd graders learn to be responsible for themselves. It's good to see them learn to make choices, try new things and conquer their fears. It, however, is work. 3 straight days of work. Even the nights are work because even though 3rd graders can sleep through the night they usually don't when they're away from home and nervous. The other thing that gets to me about that statement is that I actually like spending time with my husband and kids. That may be a rare thing in society today but it's true. I miss my husband while I'm gone. I miss my kids while I'm gone. I don't like not being a part of their daily lives. Yes, my everyday life can be hectic with work, homework, dinner, housework, baseball practice, etc but that is the life I chose and the life I love.
It is also not a vacation for my husband or kids. My husband and I work together as a team to keep our household running smooth. We each have our roles and things we do and it works for us. When I'm gone I'm asking my husband to take care of everything by himself. Although he always does an awesome job and is more than capable of taking care of everything it's just easier with a partner.
I guess the point of this little rant is that we all need to learn to think before we speak. If what we want to say is True, Helpful, Inspiring, Necessary, and Kind then go ahead. If it doesn't fit that criteria then maybe we should hold our tongues.
In addition, I have come to the conclusion that my family is just different. We value different things, enjoy different things, and run our home differently. Different doesn't mean weird. Different just means not the same as you.
Saturday, January 4, 2014
Day 4
This is a picture of a pin I have on Pinterest. Let me explain what exactly I'm grateful for. Today I am grateful for words of wisdom that have been passed down to me from my parents and grandparents. I hear these sayings in my head all the time and usually in the voice of whoever has said it to me the most. I always hear my mom way, "if you don't have anything nice to say then don't say nothing at all." When something is particularly frustrating my Nanny's voice rings loud and clear with, "you can fight a bear that long" Other times I can hear my dad patiently walk me through what needs to be done. When I feel like complaining or throwing myself a pity party my mom's voice reminds me "you've got the same clothes to get glad in." These words of wisdom may not make sense to everyone. I can't even be sure where they started from but I've heard them all my life and I'll use them all my life. Hopefully when my boys are faced with an unpleasant situation they will hear my voice sharing those same words of wisdom and maybe a few of my own. 
Friday, January 3, 2014
Day 3
Jamba Juice....not as good as a mocha frappe from McDonalds or a frap from Starbucks but a healthier alternative and it satisfies my sweet tooth.
Thursday, January 2, 2014
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
365 Days of Gratitude
I read somewhere online today about a photographer that took a picture of something she was grateful for each day for 365 days. The reason behind her idea was to spend more time being grateful and less time worrying and being stressed. I think this is a fabulous idea so I'm going to attempt it here on my blog. So day 1....I am grateful for views like this.
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