Monday, May 14, 2012

Do not Define

I do not Define myself by how many roadblocks have appeared in my path.
I define myself by the Courage I've found to forge new roads.
I do not define myself by how many disappointments I've faced.
I define myself by the Forgiveness and the Faith I have found to begin again.
I do not define myself by how long a relationship lasted.
... I define myself by how much I have Loved, and been willing to Love again.
I do not define myself by how many times I have been knocked down.
I define myself by how many times I have struggled to my feet.
I am not my Pain.
I am not my Past.
I am that which has emerged from the Fire. ♥

~ Unknown

I love you 100 %


I Love You 100%
These Four words and a symbol mean so much, especially to a mother.
  My youngest daughter wrote a simple note to me inside a book cover that she herself purchased.  She drew a simple but happy picture on the inside cover along with the words  I love you 100%.  You are the bestest Mom 100%!

I, of course became teary eyed because that is what I do.  I tear up with emotion when anyone expresses their love to me, to others, on a commercial, on a card.  You understand.... I am sappy about love.   
Who in today's world, other than a child and God will tell you they love you 100%.   Maybe your parents. 

To freely admit these words  I love you 100%. For a child to say this, it is with their entire heart body and soul. 
  I love my children 100%, would give my life for them.  Do I expect this in return?  No I don't and wouldn't want them to. 
I only wish I could share these words so freely rather than be so guarded.  As we grow up, we hopefully gained insight and wisdom along the way.  We all have felt the pain of adolescence .  Some of have had a more difficult time than others.  We all have felt the pain of losing someone whether it be by death, loss of a friendship, a break up,  moving away, going to a new school, or a new job.  We have  learned to guard our hearts from cynics, sarcastic remarks, people who do not" have our backs" so to speak. 
 Do you tell your family or very dear friends that you love them 100%? 
I tell my children and husband. on a daily basis that I love them  They tell me they love me in return. I can honestly say I haven't ever told my family and  friends " I love you 100%."   Sure I tell them I love them, give them kisses and hugs when I see them.  But to say those words, well now; that is a challenge.

So my dear friends ..here is your challenge ~ tell your family and friends you love them 100%.   
 Should you accept this challenge be prepared to a) receive a strange look, even a quirked eyebrow. b) be hugged c) your family and friends may ask " are you alright today?"  d) are you sick? e) what is really wrong?  
 f) eye rolling (especially if it a child in the teen to young adulthood person. 
Do it anyway.  Then walk away smiling.  Maybe just maybe you will hear those words in return. 

They are powerful words.  I love you 100%.  The will help us through difficult days. 
 They will know you love them unconditionally.  If you share this with your friends; be assured, they will carry this knowledge with them in their hearts ...for their lifetime.  
Now that is a true gift.


                         So I challenge you to fill their hearts and  lift their spirits. 
                                           
              

                                         Just in case no one has told you   


                                              I Love YOU 100 %   



Friday, May 11, 2012

My 50 miles: True Love, Courtship, Dating and the 12 Signs

My 50 miles: True Love, Courtship, Dating and the 12 Signs: I began researching courtship and dating.  Why you ask?  I will be married for 19 years this October. ( Yes of course to the same man)  Why ...

Thursday, May 10, 2012

True Love, Courtship, Dating and the 12 Signs

I began researching courtship and dating.  Why you ask?  I will be married for 19 years this October. ( Yes of course to the same man)  Why do I need to research courtship? 
 Several of my friends have been divorced, have children a job.  They work hard, are wonderful talented smart women, and are attractive.  They do try to do their best,  the children are wonderful, are good mothers and friends.  To be  truthful I don't envy the challenges they face daily.  Dating and looking for a good man is a challenge. 
  One woman I know shared that she had been somewhat inimate with a man she just started dating.  I was surprised.  I thought and said to her " you haven't known him very long, not to be indelicate but did you think about any medical concerns?"       In my head I am yelling 
                            S     L    O     W                  D     O    W     N    !!!!

I ask myself... " Why would she offer him any of herself in such a way when he hasn't earned anything more than a simple kiss good night?"   I KNOW why, really I do, but I become concerned.  Why is she making this choice for herself, in the pursuit of Love. 
 I did share my thoughts, .What do you know about him?  Does he have a reliable job? Does he have any  financial issues, is he single?  What is his past history with women?"  "Have you met his family or friends."     "Ok so you know a few of his friends but really is that enough?  "Is he dating anyone else?  Is he willing to be monogamous?"

  I didn't mean to sound judgemental.  I worry about these women.  These strong and courageous women.  They deserve so much more than life has offered to them thus far.  I wish they would hold themselves in higher regard of worthiness.

I stated " I am older than you,  I have made an amazing number of bad decisions, dated many boys and  men most who hurt me terribly."   I further remarked " I know I haven't dated in very long time, but let me just say this" In most corporations, businesses you are placed on a  probationary period from three to six months.  The three month or six month trial follows with a perfomance review.  Your immediate boss reviews your successes and failures.  At that point you are offered the positioin,  fired, or given an extended probationary time."  The first three months of dating are your trial period, it is new and exciting. 
 Granted a relationship cannot be measured in the same exact way  However, in your mind  when you are alone.  Take the time to evaluate your three month dating period.  Ask yourself  ~ are you ready for a courtship? A true romance?  Should you continue to date or is he to be fired? 
  Shouldn't someone you date while searching, hoping and longing for a life partner... shouldn't he prove himself to you that he is worthy of you, respects you and truly loves you. That he REALLY cares for you.  Or does he fall into the catagory of just another player?  
      Find a great role model and use that person as your  three month yard stick of measurement.  You are the Boss of your relationship.  Take the helm sister and steer the ship.  Date, move to a level of courtship, be just friends, or let go.  YOU decide what works or doesn't.   Compromise is necessary for any relationship to work but not to the extent that you no longer recongize yourself. 
     I believe you should hold yourself in high esteem especially when dating or courting. 
                                     If YOU don't then He WON'T either.
 Dating:  Dating is going out for a set time and place and has an end time. Like a play date for your children.  A set time to start and finish.   A True Date, you know what I mean ...a  real honest to goodness date.  Boy picks up girl, boy takes girl to movies, or dinner,  boy takes girl home.  She says goodnight and that is it.     JUST DATE.  It should be " the we are having fun getting to know about each other dates".  No intimacy until you have developed something more. 
      (PS. don't have any more than 2 alcoholic beverages on any date- keep your wits about you). 

Courtship and wooing:.  You set the tone of the relationship.
 We discussed courtship and wooing.... yes I used the term wooing.  If you are looking for  romance then see if he is willing to begin wooing you  Is he interested in pursuing you, chase you? Is he willing to court you?
Does he bring you flowers, little love notes, offers help, offers an ear, a shoulder to cry on, gives you tissue, holds your hand, opens the door?   You know honey... act like a gentleman?  Is he your friend?  
 By all means kiss and kiss a lot.              BUT THAT IS ALL! 
 If it becomes too much, say      GOODNIGHT. 
      (PS. don't have any more than 2 alcoholic beverages on any courtship date- keep your wits about you). 

Romance,Sizzle & Marriage   ~  I am all for the sizzle.  That must be earned and develop over a period of time.   The snap crackle and pop  of any relationship, the zippee doo dah attraction to each other,  is absolutely wonderful.  Remember as years pass your hips and knees will also snap crackle and pop ...will you still care for each other?  Will you love each other and be willing to help each other get the canes,walkers, false teeth and hearing aids?

True Love:   If he truly care for you he will be there when you are facing struggles of life. He will listen, understand, and try to help. 
  The truest love I have witnessed is watching my parents.  Growing up observing
and learning how they care and are devoted to one other in sickness and health. 
I still observe and now nudge my children to observe... see that is true love.  Watch and learn.... look how your grandparents love each other and show thier love daily.  As my parents have aged,  growng frail , forgetful and unable to manage  day to day lives without assistance they continue on this pursuit of love.  My father shows his love daily to my Mother by doing whatever it takes. Tucking in a napkin, giving baths, assist with dressing, brushing her hair, kissing her gently, holding my mother's hands, and manage all toiletry concerns.  That is True Love and Devotion.   My Mother in her moments of clarity will gently rebuff my father's playfulness and giggle at him.  Yes giggle.  They still giggle with each other.  My father still calls her "my girl" and my mother gently smiles and bats her twinkly blue eyes.  True Love and Devotion. 

 If anyone doesn't measure up or have the potential to reach this high standard to truly care for and Love you...  then this isn't the person for you.

My daughters will be told, lectured, guided and reminded  of What True Love is along with the following 12 guidelines of dating/courtship.  Believe you me, there will be  more than just the 12 but it is a good place to start.
I located this article on a Christian web site.  Great for your daughter or female friend they should try to follow these 12 signs. 

12 Signs to Tell if He is the One:
1. He understands.
He always tries to see your side of things. This means that even if he’s seen you get upset or cry about something a hundred times before, he still tries to calm you down and makes you feel better.
2. He tells you.
Oh those three special words, the words some men have major trouble saying. Well, if he says them often, count yourself lucky. Hearing him say “I love you,” and knowing he means every word, is proof that he’s one of a kind.
3. He shows you.
We all know most men have trouble expressing their feelings with words. So, sometimes they use other forms of expression. Forms of expression include: taking you out for dinner when he thinks you need a break from cooking or understanding that you might need some time to yourself. While you may like to hear those sweet whispers of affection from him, it’s a fact that actions speak louder than words.
4. He listens to you.
Is he’s genuinely interested in what you’re saying when you talk to him? Does he give you his undivided attention during your conversations, instead of having the television blaring in the background? It’s an important sign, if he shows he’s really concerned about your feelings, and especially what you have to say.
5. He’s happy around you.
Smiles? Laughter? Excited to spend time with you and not his guy friends? Glad just to be with you? If he can’t get enough of you, it’s a sure sign that he’s really attracted and in love.
6. He compliments you.
He notices when you change something about your appearance. He appreciates when you take the time to look great. When he looks you up and down admiringly with a little smile and tells you how beautiful you are, you know you matter.
7. He takes care of you.
Is he your own personal guardian angel? Does he baby you when you’re sick and nurse you back to health? If the answer is ‘yes’, then it’s a pretty sure bet you’ve got a good thing going.
8. His friends and family like you.
You can gauge how a man feels about you from the way his circle of friends and family treat you. If you are held in high regard, and they have embraced you like one of their own, it’s a fact he’s been telling them how happy he is to have you in his life.
9. He appreciates you.
Telling you how proud he is of your achievements or praising you to his family and friends is a wonderful signal. It’s a sign he is in deep appreciation of who you are to him.
10. He asks for your opinion.
He asks for your advice, considers it and may put it to good use. When important decisions are at stake concerning him, he doesn’t just go ahead and decide on his own what he thinks is right.
11. He’s interested in what you want too.
Let’s say you’re both watching television and you want to watch Desperate Housewives while he’d like to catch 24. You know how men are when it comes to the remote control! If he lets you watch your show of choice, not in a grudging manner, but because he wants you to be happy, you’ve got a winner. Give him extra points if he actually sits through it with you!
12. He makes you feel special.
Finally, is he the kind of guy who’s always trying to keep the romance alive? Bringing you flowers or breakfast in bed are both really wonderful ways to know he cares. If he’s always going out of his way to make you feel exceptional hold on tight, the man is a keeper.

God Bless!

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

A Few Gifts

Last night was the last faith formation class for this year. As I taught this year I have come to love and treasure each of my students. They are all charming in their own way. (even tho' they did drive me a little batty from time to time. My best revenge I mean game we played was Guesstures (a charade game) with the biggest kid in the class having to act our the word "tinkerbell." ( I ...just couldn't help myself.. hee hee). He was a great sport and has the personality to carry it off. The best gift I received was not something you could buy. It was the few comments the students shared with me before they left...and I will hold them in my heart. From the most difficult wisen hiemer student ~ he gave me a huge hug ( and I mean huge squeezing the stuffing out of me type of hug) that he will miss me and Thanked me for helping him. I was shocked to hear this from him to tell you the truth. Another gift was from a very sweet girl who has the best smile in the world...she shared that this was the best year she ever had in religious ed classes, she had fun. Again I was absolutely surprised. Are you teaching 8th grade for us next year was another question? For all my doubts and frustrations these small words were priceless. I am so Blessed. ♥

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

toys, toys and more toys... what do I remember about toys.  Compared to today's world, life seemed simpler when I was a girl.    I watch my daughters play now with chalk.  I loved chalk and thankfully they love chalk.  I love the creativity it allows us to have outside.  There aren't any rules about staying in the line.  I never could anyway.  I never wanted to.  I believe in coloring outside the line to allow a new form of shape to come to life.  I love chalk.  you could create a tree with purple stars in it. 

I see the new style of chalk today, neon colors, spray chalk...there are many forms.
 The one type that my children have come to love is big fat simple chalk.  
The fun of creating using your imagination is wonderful.
 The walk way looks like an artist gallery.  The designs would  not disappear until nature's eraser comes along.  We would  watch the rain drip drop drip onto our chalkboard a little sad to see our masterpiece disappear, but never felt sad for long.  We always had another day of fun in the sun. 

   I remember coloring with chalk on the ashpalt driveway.  Trying desperately not to scrap our knuckles as I created my masterpiece.  If we did, we didn't really fuss, we kept on coloring not to be distracted from our work of art.  To see our hands become covered in colored chalk.  The feel of it on our fingers really never leaves our memories.  
From time to time I would step back and scrutinize my work or my friends work.  Never a mean word was said,  We could be outside for hours filling the driveway full of pictures.  
When my father would come home, trying to tell him not to drive over our work.... he did try his best.  The fond memories of a simpler time.  Chalk. 

Friday, April 27, 2012

three little words

As  a Mom I find myself repeating three little words every morning

 see if you do too!

                                            Three little words for the morning routine:

I love you,
wake up sunshine
time for school
please get dressed
brush your hair
yes now please
make your bed
eat your breakfast
here's your tea
here's your milk
clean your place
in the dishwasher
brush your teeth
i love you
now is good
do it now
I will sing!
yes very loudly
please get dressed
brush your hair

get your backpack
find your sweater
grab your lunch
get your shoes
please hurry up
love you too
hug hug kiss
kiss hug hug

I said so
please get moving
yes now please
I love you
see you later
good bye sweetie
i love you
hug kiss hug