Thursday, December 30, 2010

The Phone Call

Because of my sons' school affiliations, I have come to know a great group of moms, some stay-at-homes and some not. Either way, these women are all fabulous in my book.  We gel, we have our little inside jokes, we "get" each other, we laugh together and we even cry together.  Most importantly, we are there for each other when needed the most.

All of this leads me to the events of today.

I was simply plodding along through my day, thinking how mundane life and its routines can be. Just dreading the thought of having to conquer the mountain of laundry that is slowly taking over my home when the cell phone rings. Sometimes something as simple as a phone call can upset the apple cart that is your life and make you realize  just how good you've got it.  I got such a phone call today. 

My dear friend of just a year and a half, C, needed me. She had just received a call we all dread, an extremely ill, and very close, relative was being taken by ambulance to the hospital. Could I come sit with her boys until the regular babysitter arrived? Without hesitation, I said I'd be there in a flash.  Still in my pajamas (remember, I was having a very lazy day), I threw on the closest clothing I could find, not caring what I looked like as I was throwing on tennis shoes and yelling to husband that I had  to go... C had an emergency and needed me and I had no clue how soon I'd be back.  (God bless the Big E  for his understanding ways.)

It's amazing that there are things we'd do for our friends when they are in distress that we won't even do or don't regularly do in our own homes. Cooking, cleaning out the cat litter, washing dishes, folding laundry, cleaning a bathroom, whatever it might be. It's like we go into Mommy Auto-Pilot mode and just get things rolling because a friend in need truly trumps EVERYTHING!

Monday, December 20, 2010

The Best Blessing of Our Year

This year we were blessed to have my Mom come and spend Thanksgiving at our home.  Why would something that ordinary be a blessing to us, you ask?  You see, my Mom lives 600 plus miles from us and for the last year and a half has been battling gastro-espohageal cancer.  (And, by the way, she's kicking cancer's ass!)  It was, by far, the BEST three weeks of my year!

My two boys cherished every moment, snuggle, hug and kiss they received from her.  They loved sitting down to Thanksgiving and having her say Grace before our meal with them.  They loved saying their prayers at night with her.  They lived for story time before bed.  Oh how they missed snuggling up with her and watching cartoons or a Christmas special.  They squeezed 18 months worth of loving into three very fast weeks.

If there was any one person who I would have my boys love more than they love me, it would be my Mom.  They have such a special bond.  They speak their own little language, body signals, nuances that only they understand.  And I'm so glad that they do. 

The highlight of Mom's visit this year was the evening we decorated the large family Christmas tree.  Every ornament on our tree has a long history and an order to which it goes onto our tree.  As each one is placed on the tree we retell the story of where it came from, who gave it to us, how old it is and who, if at all, owned it before we did.  It's our family story.  It's where we came from.  It is our legacy. 

And it is also an evening that will be forever ingrained in our memories.  For that is our best blessing of our year and the best present we have ever received.

It's Time for Me to FLY!

Today we live in a crazy rushed world.  Always going and never stopping to take a break and live in the moment.  This for many in today's society is the God's honest truth. Sadly, it is their normal way of life.

Over the last year and a half I have been trying, unsuccessfully, to enjoy life and live in the moment.  This feat would be so much easier to accomplish if it weren't for the clutter that encompasses my family and me.  It seems to be EVERYWHERE you turn. It's never ending piles of clothing, toys and paper.

Well, it's time to get off of this merry-go-round!  It's time to take back our lives! It's time to stop living in C.H.A.O.S.!!  The days of Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome at our  house are OVER!!

This week I decided to make Marla Cilley, aka The FLY Lady, my best friend in my head. (You Wendy Williams followers know what I'm talkin' about!!)  For those of you who don't know abut Ms. Marla and her groupies (the flybabies) let me fill you in.  She runs a website with the theme of getting organized 15 minutes at a time. And at the same time that you are freeing yourself from household and/or body clutter,  you are FINALLY LOVING YOURSELF!

THIS is the week that I seriously  began this journey. Progress has been slow, but we ARE seeing results! My two uber messy boys are beginning to get the gist of this new journey.
Let's hope it continues!

I WANNA F.L.Y.!!

Sunday, December 19, 2010

WISHING ALL OF
MY BLOGGY FRIENDS & FAMILY MEMBERS
ALL THE JOYS THAT THIS CHRISTMAS SEASON BRINGS!
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Wednesday, December 15, 2010

HOPE Springs Eternal for This Holiday Season

Once upon a time in a land not so far away, lived a lovely young lady who was trying her best to prepare for a civilized holiday season. The lists have been made and shopping almost complete. Presents bought and mostly wrapped.  Why, even the Christmas cards have been signed, addressed, and are being mailed tomorrow!

Could this actually be happening? Could THIS be the year of the healthy, un-rushed, thoroughly enjoyed holiday season? Could this Mom actually ENJOY the holidays? Can it REALLY be happening? A head start on Christmas? Being finished with the hustle and bustle a whole week early? Not being up till ungodly hours on Christmas Eve helping Santa wrap presents? Indeed it is!

For once in a very long time, I am THOROUGHLY enjoying this year's holiday preparations.  No rushing around, no dreading its arrival, no hating the Season of Joy.  For once, I'm looking forward to having the kids home the week before Christmas.  I'm looking forward to fun in the kitchen with the boys baking all kinds of yummy deliciousness. I'm looking forward to tree-lit nights under the miseltoe with the Big E.  We'll have time to sit down and enjoy watching all of the Christmas specials as a family.  We'll have time to sit and gaze at our Nativity and thank the good Lord above for the abundance of gifts and favors He's granted us this year.  Time to truly feel the season. 

As a very wise Linus Van Pelt says, "That's what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown."

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May each and everyone of you
be blessed with love, happiness and joy this Christmas
and all throughout the coming year!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

It's the Most Magical Time of Our Year

Tis the Season for Reliving Our Traditions

Enjoying the  Beauty on Every Branch

Living Our Life of Love

Reviving Our Memories

Remembering Those No Longer With Us

Celebrating All Things Magical