So here I am in my kitchen blogging while standing up, waiting for the chicken to finish roasting (stupid bone in breasts screw me up every time) so I can get dinner on the table for the kittens. I am looking back on the last year and I am always amazed at the stress I place on all the little things, while very easily overlooking the huge milestones. Here it goes folks these are the things that have been left unsaid this year:
My husband is amazing, and I am blessed that he fell in love with me. Who knows if that is still true, but hell, we have three kids now, so, good luck trying to date with that baggage. He is simply stuck with me.
My kids are healthy and usually happy (though they often earn consequences) and I am grateful for this. Many of my friends somehow manage their family while fighting a battle for their child's health, each of you have my utmost respect! I hope that the new year brings you and your loved ones health.
We are not rich, we are not poor. We get by just like almost everyone else I know, and I am grateful for that!
So much has happened this year, yet it went by so fast. I know that the years will continue to fly by, so I hope that as each year closes I have some time to reflect. Even if it is while the stupid chicken roasts (it better be good).
Kristen Gerber, Jordan West, Carrie Wright you will be missed. Each of you had a beautiful light in this world, you were loved by many and will be remembered by them as well. For the spouses, friends, and parents of these women, I am sorry that they are gone.
Life is short, love the people you love everyday.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Friday, December 17, 2010
Living in the sticks, ain't half bad!
Most of you that know me well also know that I frequently poke fun at the backwards little town that I live in. Each time I have to drive 30 miles to shop at Target, Walmart, Home Depot, or any other major retailer, I silently curse under my breath. When we want to go out to dinner and our "nice" option is Denny's I silently curse under my breath. When I want to go to the movies, or to an art gallery, or anywhere that would involve culture, I silently curse under my breath. HOWEVER, here are the reasons I love living in the sticks:
1. Everywhere I go, I know someone. I have a feeling this will come in very handy when the kids are teens! Whether we are at the grocery store, the post office, the dentist's office, the library, the football game or any other location in town, we see someone we know and they say hello and smile!
2. My kids have no clue what a mall actually is. Yes, they see commercials, but they believe absolutely everything can be purchased at Target.
3. During the holidays, the fire department rides through each and every neighborhood with Santa on a fire truck to collect toys for kids in needs. It has become our favorite family tradition and I just love it.
4. When someone is in need, there is NO HESITATION to help. I watched as 6 ladies with limited incomes came up with $100 for a family having a rough time this holiday season. It was done with great tact, and handled discreetly. I know that it will make that family's Christmas a little brighter.
5. Though our schools may not be the highest scoring schools, the joy and spirit our teachers bring to the classrooms is amazing. I helped 60 kinder students decorate gingerbread houses that were made by their teachers last night. Stockings with treats were presented to them by Santa because our teachers know that this may be the only present some of our kids may receive. All of this was done with limited parent donations, and paid for out of our teacher's own pockets. I watched as 120 2nd graders performed for their parents and 3rd grade buddies with pride and joy. It was not lit professionally and did not have an amazing sound system, instead a wonderful teacher played an old piano beautifully and the kids sang their hearts out!
I love my little town and all the crazy, kooky people in it. We by no means have tons of culture, art, or fine dining, but there is so much love and genuine joy here that I am proud to call this my home. I am sure that each and every one of you lives in a place just as wonderful, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do! Merry Christmas.
1. Everywhere I go, I know someone. I have a feeling this will come in very handy when the kids are teens! Whether we are at the grocery store, the post office, the dentist's office, the library, the football game or any other location in town, we see someone we know and they say hello and smile!
2. My kids have no clue what a mall actually is. Yes, they see commercials, but they believe absolutely everything can be purchased at Target.
3. During the holidays, the fire department rides through each and every neighborhood with Santa on a fire truck to collect toys for kids in needs. It has become our favorite family tradition and I just love it.
4. When someone is in need, there is NO HESITATION to help. I watched as 6 ladies with limited incomes came up with $100 for a family having a rough time this holiday season. It was done with great tact, and handled discreetly. I know that it will make that family's Christmas a little brighter.
5. Though our schools may not be the highest scoring schools, the joy and spirit our teachers bring to the classrooms is amazing. I helped 60 kinder students decorate gingerbread houses that were made by their teachers last night. Stockings with treats were presented to them by Santa because our teachers know that this may be the only present some of our kids may receive. All of this was done with limited parent donations, and paid for out of our teacher's own pockets. I watched as 120 2nd graders performed for their parents and 3rd grade buddies with pride and joy. It was not lit professionally and did not have an amazing sound system, instead a wonderful teacher played an old piano beautifully and the kids sang their hearts out!
I love my little town and all the crazy, kooky people in it. We by no means have tons of culture, art, or fine dining, but there is so much love and genuine joy here that I am proud to call this my home. I am sure that each and every one of you lives in a place just as wonderful, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do! Merry Christmas.
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