The other day, Nick and I were talking about how great it would be to go back to high school (wait, let me finish), yet have the knowledge and understanding of life that we have now. It got me to thinking how different my high school experience would have been if I had the attitude that I do now.
First of all, I think I would have learned a lot more. Instead of worrying about my peers, clothes, activities, etc., I would have been paying attention to my classes. I am also more interested in knowledge now than I ever was at ages 13-17. Rather than memorizing a bunch of facts to pass a test, I would absorb the information and actually be interested in it.
Secondly, I would not have worried so much about what people thought of me. Sure, I played the "casual, not worried about fitting in, but just nice to everyone" type of character, but truth be told, I was constantly thinking about self-image. Which, bascially means, I was worried about myself all of the time. Not a very nice way to spend four years.
After having a better view of the world, my life would not have fallen apart so quickly during my teen years. When I think back, my worst day of high school was my 17th birthday. That was the day that I met my two close friends for breakfast and saw that one of them was wearing my ex-boyfriend's football jersey.
You all remember the routine-girls would wear football jerseys of their boyfriend or good guy friend on game days. The guy I had dated my entire junior year was the quarterback and even though my friend knew that I was still sad over the break-up, she actually had the nerve to wear his jersey...on my birthday...and act like it was no big deal.
I finally got to school that day, just in time to see that the cast list for the fall play was posted. I had been in every play and musical to that point, so it was a complete and devasting shock to see that I had not been given a part. Seriously? My senior year not getting a part? What kind of birthday was that?
However, when I look back on that time now, I am confused on what I was so upset about. Why does everything in high school seem so vital to the rest of our lives when it really is only a fleeting moment of a much bigger picture?
With every break-up, with every race lost, with every hurt feeling by a friend, I seem to recall my parents saying, "There is more to life than this." And everytime I replied with, "But this is all I know-my entire life so far has been school!" How can one expect to have rational reactions when all they know is school?
Lastly, I would look at my classmates as individuals and not as cliques of people. Facebook has been a wonderful thing for shaking up my views of some of the people that I thought I knew. It has been surprising to see the girl from the Homecoming Court who every guy stared at now a tired, single mom to three kids. People I thought had no chance of ever knowing God (I know, what kind of Christian am I?) are completely involved in their walk with Christ. A girl that I always considered having the perfect life reached out to me after my miscarriage because she had been through the same thing numerous times (now we are celebrating together as we are both expecting our boys around the same time).
I am sure that when my kids reach their teen years (Heaven help me) I will be saying the same thing that my parents said to me. And they will faithfully be ignoring my advice just as I did to my parents. After all, teenagers always know better than their parents, right?
The Kids
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Monday, June 21, 2010
Why Women Should Not Be Pregnant In The Summer
As I start my third summer of being pregnant, I am reminded of the reasons why it is ridiculous to be pregnant in the summer. I know God is compassionate, but I do not see much of it in the blazing sun while carrying my own personal oven in my body.
My reasons for why one should not be allowed to be pregnant in such weather...
-The obvious bathing suit dilemma. I am sure it is fine for those cute, little pregnant women who can still wear bikinis and only get fat in the belly. However, for those of us who lovingly gain weight in other body parts and are blessed with stretched marks, we are left wearing an unattractive one piece with a complimentary skirt flap (hello old lady suit) that leaves us feeling like a beached whale.
-The extra heat added to our bodies. Not only do we sweat with the every day heat and humidity, but we have the added bonus of carrying our own little "bun in the oven" with us at all times. Seriously-was outside this morning for 20 minutes and came back in drenched and ready for a second shower.
-Water retention. We pregnant ladies must drink lots of water so as not to get dehydrated. Yet, with all the added water comes the ever popular bloated look.
-Vacations. Going on a family vacation is quite fun, until having to travel while pregnant. The added bathroom breaks, the need to stretch, restless leg syndrome, sleeping in another bed without all the proper pillow props, the limits of things to do while actually on the vacation-fun times.
-Not appreciating the warm weather. As we take refuge in our air-conditioned homes we miss the outdoor activities. Once the baby arrives and we want to get outside, we are faced with cold, snowy weather and feel like prisoners in the place we once considered a sanctuary.
-The feeling of laziness. Extreme tiredness comes with every pregnancy, but add on the heat and you might as well count on us falling asleep at every possible moment.
-The many cook-outs available to us. How are we expected to watch our weight gain when constantly surrounded by a buffet of tasty treats?
Oh, the joys of pregnancy. Thankfully there is a delightful blessing at the end of the journey.
My reasons for why one should not be allowed to be pregnant in such weather...
-The obvious bathing suit dilemma. I am sure it is fine for those cute, little pregnant women who can still wear bikinis and only get fat in the belly. However, for those of us who lovingly gain weight in other body parts and are blessed with stretched marks, we are left wearing an unattractive one piece with a complimentary skirt flap (hello old lady suit) that leaves us feeling like a beached whale.
-The extra heat added to our bodies. Not only do we sweat with the every day heat and humidity, but we have the added bonus of carrying our own little "bun in the oven" with us at all times. Seriously-was outside this morning for 20 minutes and came back in drenched and ready for a second shower.
-Water retention. We pregnant ladies must drink lots of water so as not to get dehydrated. Yet, with all the added water comes the ever popular bloated look.
-Vacations. Going on a family vacation is quite fun, until having to travel while pregnant. The added bathroom breaks, the need to stretch, restless leg syndrome, sleeping in another bed without all the proper pillow props, the limits of things to do while actually on the vacation-fun times.
-Not appreciating the warm weather. As we take refuge in our air-conditioned homes we miss the outdoor activities. Once the baby arrives and we want to get outside, we are faced with cold, snowy weather and feel like prisoners in the place we once considered a sanctuary.
-The feeling of laziness. Extreme tiredness comes with every pregnancy, but add on the heat and you might as well count on us falling asleep at every possible moment.
-The many cook-outs available to us. How are we expected to watch our weight gain when constantly surrounded by a buffet of tasty treats?
Oh, the joys of pregnancy. Thankfully there is a delightful blessing at the end of the journey.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Happy Father's Day To My Daddy
No, I am not a junior high girl who finds it cool to take names and make acronyms from them, but for now, I am regressing to my youthful side and doing this with my dad's name. Because no Father's Day card says what I want to say and this is the only way I can find to try and explain what he means to me.
W-Willing to help anyone at anytime
I-Inquisitive and genuinely wanting to know how we are feeling about things
L-Loving, in the ultimate, sacrificial way
L-Listening, and not just hearing, to what is going on around him
I-Intelligent
A-Athletic (seriously, the man can still outrun me, even when I am not pregnant)
M-Meaningful-everything he does is with purpose
B-Blessing to those around him in more ways than he can imagine
E-Encouraging
C-Considerate
K-Kind
Okay, so these adjectives do not even come close to how I feel about my father. What can one say when blessed with such a man for a dad? How can there be enough thank-you's for the man who daily sacrifices for his family, who works so hard to provide, who sets a godly example of what a man should be, and who does not get the appreciation that he deserves?
I love you, Daddy. Happy Father's Day to the man who saved our lives. God blessed our family with you.
W-Willing to help anyone at anytime
I-Inquisitive and genuinely wanting to know how we are feeling about things
L-Loving, in the ultimate, sacrificial way
L-Listening, and not just hearing, to what is going on around him
I-Intelligent
A-Athletic (seriously, the man can still outrun me, even when I am not pregnant)
M-Meaningful-everything he does is with purpose
B-Blessing to those around him in more ways than he can imagine
E-Encouraging
C-Considerate
K-Kind
Okay, so these adjectives do not even come close to how I feel about my father. What can one say when blessed with such a man for a dad? How can there be enough thank-you's for the man who daily sacrifices for his family, who works so hard to provide, who sets a godly example of what a man should be, and who does not get the appreciation that he deserves?
I love you, Daddy. Happy Father's Day to the man who saved our lives. God blessed our family with you.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Funny Quotes
Here are some of the latest quotes to keep us laughing...
-Abby: "Can someone have a baby and not be married first?"
Me: "Umm...yes, but it is better to be married. God made it to be a good thing to get married and then have babies, that way there is a mom and dad for every child."
Abby: "Then what about Mary? She was pregnant before getting married."
(This is what I get for letting her read the Bible on her own.)
Abby: "I think it is better to be married because when you want to go to the store, you don't want to take all the kids with you. That way the dad can help and watch the kids, and he can help with things around the house."
Me: "Very good points, Abby."
-Caleb has a little blanket with a bear's head on the top that makes a little rattling sound whom he calls "lovey." One of his favorite stalling techniques for not napping is to come out of his room and say, "Lovey is keeping me awake." Hilarious. The following is a conversation he had about lovey.
Caleb: "Lovey is a little bit real."
Me: "Just a little bit, huh?"
Caleb: "Yeah, just a little bit. That's how he keeps me awake."
Me: "Well, who makes lovey make the noise?"
Caleb: "I do-I mean, God does!"
Seriously? He is already blaming God for his own doings? Wow, they learn young.
-Abby: "Can someone have a baby and not be married first?"
Me: "Umm...yes, but it is better to be married. God made it to be a good thing to get married and then have babies, that way there is a mom and dad for every child."
Abby: "Then what about Mary? She was pregnant before getting married."
(This is what I get for letting her read the Bible on her own.)
Abby: "I think it is better to be married because when you want to go to the store, you don't want to take all the kids with you. That way the dad can help and watch the kids, and he can help with things around the house."
Me: "Very good points, Abby."
-Caleb has a little blanket with a bear's head on the top that makes a little rattling sound whom he calls "lovey." One of his favorite stalling techniques for not napping is to come out of his room and say, "Lovey is keeping me awake." Hilarious. The following is a conversation he had about lovey.
Caleb: "Lovey is a little bit real."
Me: "Just a little bit, huh?"
Caleb: "Yeah, just a little bit. That's how he keeps me awake."
Me: "Well, who makes lovey make the noise?"
Caleb: "I do-I mean, God does!"
Seriously? He is already blaming God for his own doings? Wow, they learn young.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Ode To My Chair
We own the most comfortable recliner in the world.
It was our first furniture purchase. I should specify, our first "real" furniture purchase. It was not free or bought cheap from a friend like all items before, but was picked out from a store and placed lovingly in our apartment. Did we buy a couch to replace our ugly hand-me-down? Nope. We bought the recliner. And why? Because I was pregnant with Abby and that is what I wanted.
I think it is a magic chair. With every pregnancy, all I need to do is sit back in it for a few minutes and, without fail, the baby starts moving. All this business about lying on one's left side after meals to feel movement is fine and all, but I just prop up the leg rest and let the chair do its work.
I fondly remember falling asleep in it during my first trimester with Abby. My apologies to our friends, Mike and Becky, who would be over for our Thursday night Friends watching and would suddenly find me asleep by 8:30 p.m. Blame the chair.
With this pregnancy, I tried to get as much chair time as I could, but unfortunately it has been sitting up in our loft for the past year and often gets ignored. I tried to give it attention, but I suppose it would have been rude to sit in a different room from my husband every evening just for my own comfort. Besides, the television is downstairs. Watching LOST or sitting in my magic chair? Hmm.
Well, my loving husband finally took the hint (or nagging, call it what you want) and moved my loving recliner downstairs for me. Not only that, but he also moved the big chair and ottoman upstairs-by himself. There was the occassional cursing under his breath, grunts of frustration, and dirty looks when I suggested going over and asking a neighbor for help, but he actually managed to accomplish this task in a positive mood.
Now, here I sit, in the living room with my beloved piece of furniture. The baby is happily kicking me, while the kids are dancing around saying, "Look at all of the room!" (They love the slightest bit of change in furniture moving.) I may get motivated to get up and get dressed and perhaps dress the children, but for now, I will enjoy this bliss.
It was our first furniture purchase. I should specify, our first "real" furniture purchase. It was not free or bought cheap from a friend like all items before, but was picked out from a store and placed lovingly in our apartment. Did we buy a couch to replace our ugly hand-me-down? Nope. We bought the recliner. And why? Because I was pregnant with Abby and that is what I wanted.
I think it is a magic chair. With every pregnancy, all I need to do is sit back in it for a few minutes and, without fail, the baby starts moving. All this business about lying on one's left side after meals to feel movement is fine and all, but I just prop up the leg rest and let the chair do its work.
I fondly remember falling asleep in it during my first trimester with Abby. My apologies to our friends, Mike and Becky, who would be over for our Thursday night Friends watching and would suddenly find me asleep by 8:30 p.m. Blame the chair.
With this pregnancy, I tried to get as much chair time as I could, but unfortunately it has been sitting up in our loft for the past year and often gets ignored. I tried to give it attention, but I suppose it would have been rude to sit in a different room from my husband every evening just for my own comfort. Besides, the television is downstairs. Watching LOST or sitting in my magic chair? Hmm.
Well, my loving husband finally took the hint (or nagging, call it what you want) and moved my loving recliner downstairs for me. Not only that, but he also moved the big chair and ottoman upstairs-by himself. There was the occassional cursing under his breath, grunts of frustration, and dirty looks when I suggested going over and asking a neighbor for help, but he actually managed to accomplish this task in a positive mood.
Now, here I sit, in the living room with my beloved piece of furniture. The baby is happily kicking me, while the kids are dancing around saying, "Look at all of the room!" (They love the slightest bit of change in furniture moving.) I may get motivated to get up and get dressed and perhaps dress the children, but for now, I will enjoy this bliss.
Saturday, June 5, 2010
A Friend's Loss
My heart is torn for my friend, Cara. She and her husband, Josh, were expecting a baby boy in the fall, due around the same time as we are. This was their first child and they were joyfully awaiting his arrival.
However, this past week brought sad news. She had to deliver him early and he is now in Heaven. I know the tremendous pain that I went through losing our baby at eight weeks, so I cannot come close to imagining how they are feeling right now. I have seen her facebook updates in which she excitedly talking about the baby moving in her and watched her little pouch form as the baby grew. To be able to feel him, to see evidence of him and know who he is, only to lose him-like I said, my heart is torn.
Her faith is amazing and her facebook updates now include much scripture and signs of trust. Yet, I know her days are probably filled with many tears and much heartache. I know when we lost our baby, I could not picture ever having a day without tears.
A song by JJ Heller came out right around the time that we experienced our loss. Here are the lyrics that comforted me and I hope they bring comfort to Cara and her family as well.
(I tried to include the video, but for some reason it was not working on my blog today.)
Your hands
I have unanswered prayers
I have trouble I wish wasn't there
And I have asked a thousand ways
That you would take my pain away
That you would take my pain away
I am trying to understand
How to walk this weary land
Make straight the paths that crookedly lie
Oh Lord, before these feet of mine
Oh Lord, before these feet of mine
When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave Your hands
When you walked upon the earth
You healed the broken, lost and hurt
I know You hate to see me cry
One day You will set all things right
Yes, one day You will set all things right
When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave Your hands
Your hands
Your hands that shape the world
Are holding me, they hold me still
Your hands that shape the world
Are holding me, they hold me still
When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave Your hands
I have this beautiful image in my mind of our children playing together in Heaven with Jesus right beside-how I long to join them someday.
However, this past week brought sad news. She had to deliver him early and he is now in Heaven. I know the tremendous pain that I went through losing our baby at eight weeks, so I cannot come close to imagining how they are feeling right now. I have seen her facebook updates in which she excitedly talking about the baby moving in her and watched her little pouch form as the baby grew. To be able to feel him, to see evidence of him and know who he is, only to lose him-like I said, my heart is torn.
Her faith is amazing and her facebook updates now include much scripture and signs of trust. Yet, I know her days are probably filled with many tears and much heartache. I know when we lost our baby, I could not picture ever having a day without tears.
A song by JJ Heller came out right around the time that we experienced our loss. Here are the lyrics that comforted me and I hope they bring comfort to Cara and her family as well.
(I tried to include the video, but for some reason it was not working on my blog today.)
Your hands
I have unanswered prayers
I have trouble I wish wasn't there
And I have asked a thousand ways
That you would take my pain away
That you would take my pain away
I am trying to understand
How to walk this weary land
Make straight the paths that crookedly lie
Oh Lord, before these feet of mine
Oh Lord, before these feet of mine
When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave Your hands
When you walked upon the earth
You healed the broken, lost and hurt
I know You hate to see me cry
One day You will set all things right
Yes, one day You will set all things right
When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave Your hands
Your hands
Your hands that shape the world
Are holding me, they hold me still
Your hands that shape the world
Are holding me, they hold me still
When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave Your hands
I have this beautiful image in my mind of our children playing together in Heaven with Jesus right beside-how I long to join them someday.
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