Several months ago I entered a photography contest with the Missouri State Lottery. They were putting together a calendar for 2009 with photos from parks around the state. The winners were announced today, and though I did not win one of the 13 calendar photos, I did receive one of the five honorable mentions. Hey, I'll take it!
A few days ago I was explaining to AJ that this year for Christmas we are going to go shopping and get some toys for children who don't have any. He was very intrigued by this and asked a lot of questions. "Why don't they have any?...What would they play with?" I explained to him that he has lots of toys already and really doesn't need more, but some children don't have toys because they're mommies and daddies can't buy them any. He looked rather perplexed and said, "Oh, that's bad" and went on to his room to play. Or, so I thought. A little while later he came in with a few toys in hand and said, "Here Mommy. We can give these toys to those kids so they'll have something to play with" Then, he proceeds to show me in his room how he has separated his toys and 'this pile is for me and this pile are for the other kids!'
Three years old...can you believe it? His heart is so pure. He's such a blessing to all of those around him.
Several years ago (about 16 to be exact) I started writing myself a letter on my birthday to open the next year at my birthday. Somewhere along the way of keeping up with AJ and taking care of Keith, that 'tradition' got lost. Last week I turned 26 and I have decided that instead of writing myself a letter, I would write a post here for all to see and look back on, not just next year at my birthday, but years down the road as well.
Life is nothing like I had planned. Goals and aspirations that were once most important to me, are now faded memories from the past and new ones have taken their place. Obstacles continue to be thrown my direction and I continue to get stronger the more times I jump out of the way. Motherhood has been one of the most difficult things I've faced over the past few years. It's surreal at times. AJ is growing up so fast and is becoming such a sweet little boy. He has such an amazing personality. I'm so blessed to be his mommy and I remind myself of that every day. I'm also very blessed with a wonderful family. I can't believe that Keith & I are going on 5 years of marriage and the 15th anniversary of the night our relationship began! 15 years ago things were so different for both of us. It almost scares me to think of 15 years from now! So many things have changed in our lives but the one thing that still remains is our love for each other. I'm so blessed to be married to him. The connection we share with each other will never be broken, by anyone...no matter how hard they try.
The older I get, the older my parents get and that scares me. I've been so blessed with the parents God gave me and the thought of losing them paralyzes me. I try every day to let them know how important they are to me, but I know that words could never fully express it. Far too often kids grow up and can't wait to get away from their 'crazy folks' and phone calls are only made at holidays or birthdays and visits dwindle from a few times each year, to once a year, then to 'come see us when you can'. I'm so lucky to have the relationship that I do with my parents.
I try to remind myself each day, of the wonderful things I love about each one of my family members because we never know from day-to-day who will wake in the morning to continue on life's journey with us. Far too often we all get caught up in the negativity life offers, but forget to remember all the blessings in our lives.
This coming year of my life I am going to commit to focusing on the good in life. I am going to treasure my family and myself because I don't know if I'll make it to my 27th birthday or if I'll live to see my 72nd birthday! It seems there are more and more of my friends...young people my age being diagnosed with terminal illnesses. Kids who took life for granted and thought 'that could never happen to me'. It's taught me a valuable lesson...it can. It sounds cliche, but life really is short. Far shorter than any of us realize.
So, happy birthday to me and happy year ahead!
Congratulations to my big brother!! He and his girlfriend of two years, Megan were married this evening in a private ceremony in Lawrence, KS. Welcome to the family, Megan!
During the past few weeks we've been stocking up on school supplies. Several of the office supply stores (Office Max and Office Depot) have been running penny sales on things like rulers, glue, crayons, and folders. Today, we dropped off two boxes full of these items to our local school district to use for the kids who may not have all of the items they need to start the school year. The gratitude of the ladies we talked with at the district offices have got me thinking today. Why don't more people do this? Think about it... We've spent less than a few bucks during these penny sales but even if the items had been full price. A box of crayons only costs about a dollar!
So, I'd like to challenge all of our visitors to something this week as school is starting back soon for everyone soon. Go out and buy a box of pencils, a package of notebook paper, or even some glue and drop it off at the school nearest your house! Check around your house even! Perhaps you've got some extra notebooks laying around or un-sharpened pencils. The schools, teachers, staff, and most importantly the kids will thank you!
You know, over the past four + years I've learned a lot about family. Branching out from my family (parents and brother) and starting a new family of my own (Keith & AJ), and watching how the two have grown together. It's a blessing to me to know that my parents are such a big part of mine, Keith's and AJ's lives. Tonight, while enjoying some home-made ice cream out on the deck at Mom & Dad's house, I realized something... I'm very lucky. Not only do I have a wonderful husband and a really cute and for the most part great little boy, but I also have two of the most generous and loving people in the world as my parents! Family is so important to them and they've always made sure we know it.
We love you guys, Mom & Dad! Thanks for the ice cream tonight and for all of the wonderful things you guys do for our family! We are truly blessed!
Boy! I never knew it would be so difficult to try and explain to a 3 year old how someone becomes their aunt or uncle! The uncle part is easy, but AJ keeps telling me that people are not ants!! :) It's really hard to explain there are two kinds of ants / aunts! He keeps saying that ants are bugs and doesn't understand that aunts are also people!!
Oh the joys!!
I'm starting a new thing here on our site... This Week! I will be listing some interesting facts about the current week's history. I hope everyone enjoys!!
The first supermarket opened for business in America this week in 1930! It was named King Kullen and it was the first place to offer self-service groceries, dairy, meat, and baked goods all in the same location!
This week in 1948 Allen Funt's 'Candid Microphone' premiered. (it was later called 'Candid Camera') It started during War World II when Allen secretly taped fellow soldiers' gripes and aired them over the Armed Forces Radio!
And...
Chubby Checker introduced "The Twist" on American Bandstand this week in 1960! He described the dance "like drying your bottom with a towel while grinding out a cigarette!"
(information from - Woman's World)
I was just reading through the headlines on FoxNews.com and stumbled upon this story After reading all about the study, I headed over to Heather Archuletta's blog (http://pillownaut.blogspot.com) and got caught up. I personally found the information fascinating and plan to make this part of my daily internet reading.
Best of luck to Heather and the other's who are participating in this amazing study!
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