Day 27: Star gaze

I know I've posted before on how my daughters love Taylor Swift and how I am pleasantly surprised that she writes clean music, loves her parents and dresses very classy so I'm glad they have a good role model in popular music.  We've been to her concert and she writes her own  music (which my girls love because they are writers too) but she has an innocence that is adorable.  Well a couple nights ago my girls were so excited for the release of a new TS song and Mtv was premiering the music video. (Actually, I had a flashback to being about their age when Michael Jackson's premiere video for Thriller came out and it was mayhem!  My teachers even let us watch it at school-which was beyond cool for the 80's!) 
Their enthusiasm was contagious so of course I had to join them on the couch and we watched the premiere together.  I must say--it was so sweet watching my girls' excitement build and the gittiness they had over the whole 3 minute segment.  To be young and so enthralled!  It was completely cute!  It occurred to me that they won't always have this child-like excitement for their favorite singers and I'm so glad I can enjoy their music with them.  I am grateful that I enjoy their taste in music and like to listen to it with them.  We've had so many "best days" with Taylor Swift music as the backdrop over the years and her music will always be part of the soundtrack of their childhood.  I love that!

Day 26: GET TO!

I read a book this summer, well I actually read several books but summer is kind of my chance to GET TO read because the schedule of 3 kids can be a little more relaxed in the summer. And I always like to read books that inspire, teach, or uplift in some way.  I have to tell you about one of my summer reads--it will completely have you counting your blessings and holding your children tighter.  It will also likely inspire you to change your attitude and outlook on life!  Even if you have the best attitude.....this book will remind you of just how precious life is and it will make you appreciate life more.
On a side note--I have a personal connection to the book because I know the author and interestingly enough, we went to college together.  She was in a different sorority than I was and she was a little older but it's interesting that our lives would reconnect through her book, her organization and facebook some 20 plus years later.
The story is of her daughter's battle with leukemia and it will make you cry but it will also lift you up and touch your heart <3. 

 

 

I happened to be reading it when we were on vacation so my husband was utterly confused when the tears started flowing and he couldn't understand why I would want to read a book that makes me cry on vacation!  But I told him that I just couldn't put it down and it had a very strong spiritual message (which I shared with everyone in my house).  In the book, the author's (Denise Taylor) daughter Jonnae (who is sick  with Leukemia) poses the question to her mom something like "why does everyone view life in the 'have to' frame of mind? .....why can't they see life as a GET TO?"  and from that point on the GET TO outlook was born.   The author shares her daughter Johnnae's perspective with everyone and immediately they realize the power of flipping just two words!  I won't say more about the book (because you really should read it!) but the author is a mother of 5 children and she has gone on to found a non-profit organization aptly called GET TO. 

So I shared this concept with my family--and wow!  Children have the GREATEST ability to grasp concepts and run with them!  They started using the GET TO attitude in everything!  Sometimes they would catch themselves beginning to gripe or complain about their chores and we'd just look at each other, pause and instantly they'd say "I mean, I GET TO do the dishes" :) 

I was so impressed with the effect that I had to contact the author, Denise on facebook with a message about how her story, her daughter's legacy and her positivity had touched our lives.  She was delighted to hear it!

I'm so proud of our children for so many things, but I am extremely humbled by their connection to Jonnae's story and that they could emulate her positive, spiritual outlook at their ages.  It really is true, what they say about==gratitude changing attitude! 

And that is kind of what started my whole blogging venue (combined with just wanting to mommy journal) so I knew when I finished the book, that I would devote a post to Jonnae, the book, and the WE GET TO foundation.  We often take being healthy for granted.  But when you read Heavenly Birth--you will appreciate your life and the lives of those around you.  Our time here on earth truly is for a purpose.  It is small in comparison to eternity and while heaven will be bliss......we don't want to miss the joy of life while we're here.  Sometimes a negative attitude actually robs us of that joy in small, accummulative ways.  We can change our outlook and we GET TO!

For more information on the foundation-visit http://wegetto.org/

 

Day 25: a new quest!

Hello long, and hopefully not lost friends.  I've been working on my "other" blog so much that I have kind of neglected this one and after looking over my last post, a twinge of guilt popped up ;(  bad mommy!  I really need to get back to this blog more often!  PLUS--my amazingly -talented- blog author -oldest -daughter shared with me a new entry in her own blog today and we ALL know she is always inspiring!!!  So....

I found another cute idea online in the form of a book called My So-Called Life as a Proverbs 31 Wife

and another idea hit me.  I was already kind of doing the gratitude thing with this blog.....and the book might be a good fit.  We'll see.  One of the ideas is a 10-day challenge to be a Poverbs 31 wife.  The book is cute and it was inspired when the author's pastor began a marriage series at church.  From that series, the author says that basically the bible calls men to follow  Ephesians 5:25-28 ~ with just ONE thing to remember, love their wives as much as they love themselves, while women have Proverbs 31, with 21 RULES to follow to be a good wife! :)  Sounds about right ;) huh?  Hence the challenge! 

So I'm not even going to try to make a 10 day posting goal but I am going to intertwine what I was already doing with my blog to include some of what I discover as I embrace this Proverbs 31 Wife challenge ;>   Let's see how this goes.......together!

Day 24: TOMS!

So it might seem materialistic......to devote a post to a shoe brand. But this brand is different. They are a shoe philanthropy--at least they promote that if you buy a shoe, they will donate one to a needy child. If you're going to have a shoe fettish........at least this one makes a worthy cause out of it!
I have a pair of TOMS. They are very comfy. I bought the wedge in blue tye-dye. I'd like to get the pink glitter but my friend recently told me that they were coming out in with flats. So.....I may have to indulge :)

What's a girl without her shoes, huh?? Shoe-less? Still a girl......None-the-lace!
:)

Day 23: Imagination

I was recently working from my laptop/........when I peered over the top of it, only to find one of my precious children.......playing with their food right in front of me. Instantly, all the mondane work I was just moments ago so intent on completing--seemed increasingly UNimportant! After all, my daughter was only inches from my screen--my face. Yet I was completely engrossed in the task at hand. Thank GOD I looked up! Thank GOD I realized that HE was showing me that the MOST important thing is being a MOM!

So I watched her a little longer........completely adoring the brilliant imagination that she has. How she can play with two slices of an orange and make up a story so vivid, you would feel as if you've watched it on a screen! When she caught me watching her, she stopped. Then laughed. Then told me the WHOLE story......and it was adorable! So the potato chip was trying to sneak into the healthy food convention.......and the orange rolled over top of the potato chip. Making the potato chip "crunch" underneath the weight of the orange. That meant that the potato chip was recognized and immediately removed from the healthy convention!

What a story--what great detail and what an imagination!!! I love the mind of children! I love their innocence and how they can become so completely enthralled with their creativeness!!! Thank you God for blessing me with children.....who give meaning to my life every day! And who give pure enjoyment by just being themselves!!!

Day 22: Love~

It's already February!! And Love Is in the AIR!! So I'm reflecting upon the loves of my life.....God, my husband, my children........and countless other blessings that I have the good fortune of experiencing. Where is the love? Where is it when we need to SEE it? Feel it? Hear it? Experience it? Know it??
I am going to try and point out a few examples of love that we often overlook. Maybe these are just simple things we do every day. Or maybe they are extraordinary things that we do simply every day! ;) I prefer the later.
Here goes.......10 ways to know love
1- praise Him
2- pray
3-count! I'm talking about count your blessings....... but also
4-count> Make every minute of every day count!
5-Give
6-Enjoy
7-Laugh
8-Smile
9-Believe/Trust (so much around us is beautiful, blessed and brought to you by G-O-D!
10-Live! Are you living your life the way you dreamed??? Or better??

Ok--so the list is short, to the point and possibly simplistic! But isn't that what we come to realize after all the dust settles??? That LOVE is really just a feeling. Or an act.....of kindness! What has someone done lately that shows you love? What have you done??

Could love truly be......just a mere.......decision, if you will. To know what we have, appreciate it and cherish it! Recognizing that love is all around us! If only we can fill up our hearts with good thought, then proceed with greater actions! Imagine the world??
Happy Valentine's Day!!!
Where is YOUR love?

Day 21: Tim Tebow John 3:16

I have to say, I have been a fan of Tebow since first learning about him when he won the Heisman trophy. I was in awe of his incredible story. From his mother's decision for pro-life, how he was raised in a spiritual-Christian home with incredible values. The way in which he loved and honored his parents. How he is so real and down to earth, yet an incredible role model and humbled heart-amazing God given talent. I was drawn to his goodness. His story of hope, perservearance but most importantly-his faith.

♬ ♫ ♪ What a man, what a man, what a mighty good man ...♬ ♫ ♪ Yes He is! WOW An inspiration and role model who's light SHINES and he humbly gives ALL his glory to God! Makes ya' wanna find your own favorite scripture, proudly proclaim it and watch what happens when God is in the center of your life! Awesome~ May he continue on his amazing journey as we all get to watch and witness God's grace and power! I can't wait to see what he will do. Just amazing! We bought his book for our son to read. I love our book talks about it!

Then just this week......the whole John 3:16 phenomena--WOW. The stats.......probably the most I have ever paid attention to sport stats (other than my own children's :) and I am humbly reminded of the Glory of God. What just the faith of a mustard seed can do. It brought chills down my spine and what a testimony! Continue on your path, Tim Tebow. We are blessed to witness and pleased to enjoy-be inspired!