It just gets you in the mood!

We had our first real snow fall last night (white on the ground this morning). Snow always puts me in the mood for Christmas and for skiing. Isn't it funny how the snow falling is so magical this time of year and so dreadful in March and April? 

The teenager was so excited for snowboarding this year. Monday night he and his friends headed over to Trollhaugen (they make snow), they wanted to be there for the opening. About 8:30 the teenager took a fall and ended up in the Emergency Room, yep, fractured wrist. He chose the blaze orange cast, at least he won't get shot, it is deer hunting season here. I suggested getting the ski mits that have wrist guards built in, of course that was a terrible idea (teenagers).

This should get you in the mood too. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yQ2xqCE2E8

A very striped girl,

DAT

Don't Blink

There is a poem about little boys growing up too fast, and the last line says, "Little boys grow up when you're not looking." I just want to say, it is true!

 Our "baby" is a Senior in high school and we aren't seeing much of him these days. He has a group of friends that he hangs with that  seem to travel in a pack. When he is home, he is usually accompanied by the pack. 

So far this year he hasn't been too annoying. I really believe that kids need to be 'yuks' in their last year of high school. This prepares parents for the job of shooing them out of the nest. It is all part of God's perfect plan.

 

We had a special opportunity this weekend that has me lamenting the parenting job.

We kept our friend's children, ages 3 and 5 over night. We call the two little boys No No, (their names both start with No), No No is just easier. This experience reminded me of what it is like to prepare young children and yourself for church on Sunday morning. God Bless young parents for making the effort to get to church with their little ones. It took both The Engineer and I to get them up, fed and dressed; shoes, coats, mittens on; and loaded into the van. I couldn't figure out why my own coat wouldn't zip up when I realized that I had it on inside out. 

I also remembered the lack of privacy that comes with having young children in the house, when NoNo age 3, followed me into the bathroom each time I went. 

Having little ones around reminds me of how fast child rearing really does go by. When they are little it seems like they will be dependent on you forever and then you blink and they are grown up. I know it is probably annoying, especially in the grocery store, but I always feel compelled to express to parents how fast it really does go. People said that to me, and I thought "yah sure, whatever." Standing on this side of the fence I see that it is so true. 

I guess I hope to encourage moms and dads to enjoy your little ones, I know it is hard when there are so many things to do. Be grateful for each day God gives you with your children. They truly are a gift.

Ralph Waldo Emerson in regards to success: 

To laugh often and much, to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children...

To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends, to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others, to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition...

To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.

a very striped girl,

DAT

A Bad Case of Stripes

Welcome to my blog.

You might say, "Hm that's an interesting title, what in the world does she have to say?"

I chose the title because it is a wonderful children's book that I just read by David Shannon. In the book a little girl named Camilla Cream loves to eat lima beans, but she does not eat them because she is afraid her friends will make fun of her. She was very concerned about impressing other people. When she wakes up for school she is covered in stripes. And so the story goes, every day she wakes up patterned in a different way until Camilla finally decides that it is o.k. to be different.

I love this book because I think it is important to be who you are. The rest of the world can benefit from the real you. This brings me to my purpose in blogging. I feel that everyone has God given "specialness." My interest is in collecting and sharing stories of everyday life that will inspire others.

Many people around the world are inspired today with the fact that the United States of America has elected a black man as president!! This is amazing to say the least. My blog, however, will not focus on the "big names," but the everyday people and their stories. The people who are striped and proud to be.

The aim of this blog is to share stories, especially stories of some wonderful women. Those who have gone before us, and those we are walking on this earth with today.

I pray that my words may touch your heart.

O.K. so here is a story that will hopefully touch your funny bone.

In January of 2008, as a middle aged mom, I returned to college to get my Elementary Education degree. We are in midterm time and the pressure has been high. I find the consumption of chocolate to be a mellowing agent. So, while doing a run through the big "W" store for groceries I spotted Holiday Oreos. "I thought wow, how wonderful they have a special Oreo just for the upcoming Christmas season, and oh they are mint flavored, isn't that clever." I snatched them up and ran for the checkout. I couldn't get home with them before opening. Delicious and the minty flavor is so yummy. How clever! I put them up in the cupboard, so the teenager in the house wouldn't find them, (O.K. I see how this goes, I have already spilled one of my secrets) and continued to think how novel these Holiday Oreos were. Two days later it dawned on me that these are the same mint Oreos that are on the shelf year round, different package. I probably paid twice as much for the packaging.

Now you must realize that I have been studying college math, history, educational psychology, and educational technology,(some deep stuff) and it takes me two days to figure out mint Oreos.

The moral of the story is, we are all busy with our brains running on 90 miles per hour. We all need to take a few minutes out of our day to relax, do something we love, and be grateful for the people God has put around us.

I pray my blog will give you those few minutes in your day.

Either that or you too, could just enjoy some Oreos.

Thanks for reading,

a very striped girl,

DAT