Friday, August 29, 2008

Old Cliches

Well, I have decided something tonight. The old cliches really do ring true. Today I saw a very pretty woman and she was with a man that wasn't so attractive. Immediately, I thought to myself, "What's she doing with him? She is so pretty?" I know, not good. Anyway, the more that I watched them, I noticed that he listened attentively to every word she spoke, he carried her bags for her and he pointed things out that he knew she was looking for. He just loved her and you could tell. Which brings me to that old saying, "It's what's inside that counts." Isn't that so true? And comforting to know that as I get older those old sayings really do hold water over time?" Like isn't it true that "home really IS where the heart is" and you do "win some and lose some"? It is a good idea to "get your ducks in a row" and it's reassuring to know that "every dog has his day"!

The older I get, the more philosophical I get. What you do put out really does come back to you and I am grateful for that. That in this world of such change for the good and the not so good, that something truly does stand the test of time.

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

He Needs Me.....

My little Hunter has three teeth coming in and he is really struggling. The pain is hard for him to take and he finds much comfort in my arms. As much as I hate seeing my precious child in pain, I am almost grateful for the clinging for I know that one day he will not be so open to my hugs and he will be a big boy and not need me so much. When he crawls into my arms and heaves that big old sigh and lays his head on my shoulder, I want to melt for I have missed these times. You see, Hunter is, in a word, busy. His little world is exploding in front of him and he can't wait to touch and taste every part of it. I struggle some days to catch him when he goes mach 2. But, these days when he is under the weather, I know where he is at all times. All I have to do is look at my feet! But, I must admit, as much as I love this cuddly, loving little boy, I miss the one that throws my favorite hair brush in the toilet, the one who has figured out how to get up on the kitchen table and the one who plays with my ipod when I'm not looking.

Friday, August 22, 2008

Never Too Old To Try Something New.......

So, here I go again. I was at JoAnn's last night and I saw some dinosaur fabric which led to the brilliant idea to make John some dinosaur pajamas. This strikes fear into my heart because I have never done it before yet stirs my spirit because I am trying something new.

A year ago, we went through a huge change and it was really monumental for me. I thought I always knew what the plan was and, alas, I realized that I didn't really have any idea. Right then and there, I decided that life is to be lived and we are just here to enjoy the ride. So, it may not be earthshattering that I am trying to make pajamas and it won't be the lead story on the news tonight, but I will expand my horizons and then try. I may fail and I am sure that I will reach for my seam ripper more times than I care to admit, but I just can't wait to try. Isn't it usually in our failures that ultimately we have the greatest successes?

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Living With Gusto

Sometimes I actually stop amid the hustle and bustle of my day and I really watch my children. And I have decided that when I grow up I want to be just like them. My John will be four and I just can't believe how the years have flown by. He is happy and helpful and loving and sensitive and smart and has a strong conscience. My little Hunter is loving and strong and smart and knows what he wants when he wants it, and he has the most beautiful laugh. Whatever my children are doing, like most children, they are doing with all their hearts. When they cry, all their strength goes into it and when they laugh, they struggle to catch their breath because they are just heaving so hard! Quite simply, they live their lives with gusto. May I also live my life in the exact same way. May I love, laugh, share without abandon.

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Running Like the Wind.....

I have begun running. This absolutely amazes me because if you asked me five years ago if I ever ran, I would immediately list all the hazards of running and then give all the benefits of walking. While I still love a good walk now and then, I must admit that my heart is growing quite affectionate of the run. I am not a good runner, I only go about a mile and then feel like my lungs are collapsing, but I am running. The Bible says to "run with perseverance" and while He didn't necessarily mean with a great pair of Nikes and the latest exercise gear, I take that Scripture very personally to my heart. You see, in the dictionary next to the word procrastinator, there should be a picture of me. But, I am learning and as I get older, I am changing. Every night I lay my workout clothes out so that they are staring at me in the morning and when I get out on that street and leave my cares in the dust and I start to move my very tired body, I feel like I am flying and I actually start to feel proud of myself for being there in the first place. So, I long to run for longer periods and one day I dream of running in a 5K or 10K race, but for now I am enjoying this time. And my morning jog may not rival the brillance of Michael Phelps and doesn't have the whole world watching with bated breath, I am there and I am cheering myself on for I am pushing myself beyond my comfort zone. And I am grateful for it. And I am actually starting to look forward to that morning jaunt.

Sunday, August 17, 2008

There's something about dancing with my husband. It reminds me that we are in love amidst bills, work, and the daily stresses of life and parenthood. Whenever I dance with him, I always laugh. I laugh because he's my best friend and he constantly indulges me when I say, "can you dip me?" I laugh because there are always at least one set of eyes on us at all times and they are learning that two people can fight and they can struggle but they can stay married and they can be silly in the kitchen. I hope that my boys find women that will love them fiercely and they will take them for a spin every once in a while!