More than 3 years ago, I followed the crowds into the Blogging world when my twin daughters were just 2 years old. I never felt peer-pressured to start blogging, I simply needed to take some pressing thoughts and straighten them out on the keyboard amidst the busiest, most challenging, yet fulfilling time in my adult life. While navigating parenthood (and a non-napping baby), it was instant therapy! I love to write and I love to express. Blogging allowed me to do just that....for a short Season.
Today, my daughters are 5 1/2 years old, and I just dropped them off at their 2nd day of Kindergarten. Thankfully, they got out of the car with smiles and excitement and they LOVE their new school. Thankfully, Mommy's heart is happy and I now have open windows of "noise-less" time to focus.....rejuvenate....reflect.....to return to "therapy." It's a good day and my heart (and more time) has brought me back to this blog.
After just 5 posts & a noisy, busy, and full 3 years, I got distracted. I ran out of time and energy for "therapy." I was just trying to survive! Fast forward to now: I dug through the list of possible passwords, and finally recovered my "dusty" blog that was still sitting there...waiting for me to return. Loyal. Quiet. Available. It may be for just a few days; it may be for a few years. But, today, I felt compelled to write again. To take those thoughts, prayers, reflections on my Journey and put them down somewhere. Thank you, Blog, for waiting on me. For staying put when I was all over the place. For believing that I'd return someday....for letting me share my heart with you. A new Season has begun & time for more "therapy" is just what I've needed.
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Saved by GRACE
Some weeks are simply harder than others when it comes to Mommyhood, and this has definitely been one of those weeks. I haven't been able to claim the "terrible twos" as our reality...until now. I'm now calling it the "terrible 2 1/2s" and have had to ask the LORD for an extra helping of His grace to survive the last several days. As He always does, He provides in such timely & creative ways.
Paul's mom usually makes at least one weekly visit out to Katy to see the Girls. Yesterday was the day. By the time she arrived (around 3:00), I had already raised my voice more than 75 times...attempted to resolve more than 25 sisterly squabbles...and was down to counting the milliseconds until Paul got home from work. NeNe barely made it in the door when I grabbed my keys and told her, "I'll be back in a bit; just call my cell if you need me!" I was in the car and heading to ANYWHERE...it didn't matter. I simply needed O-U-T!
My car--and my caffeine craving---led me directly to the nearby Starbucks. With one eye on my watch, I knew I had a good hour to spend sipping & savoring my yummy Starbucks and pouring into the latest People magazine before Mommyhood would come calling me back home. Just being out and alone, I was already winding down as I entered the coffee shop.
This is where the real story takes place. Everything up to this point is simply Mommy needing to vent jargon that may have diverted your attention to this lengthy posting. If you're still reading, take note. Upon entering Starbucks yesterday, I was greeted by one of the nice, young, male baristas. He looked at me with one hand on his mop and the other on the door and said, "Hey, Guy!" I literally laughed outloud and replied in a deep "manly" voice, "Well, Hello!" I not only got a good laugh out of the barista and his fellow co-workers, but I also was handed a delicious coffee Frappacino at NO charge! The barista was overly apologetic...admitting he had been there "all day" and was just a little "distracted." I laughed along with him but said I'd probably think twice about wearing my black visor out of the house next time : ).
The sweet and timely blessing out of all of this is that his very sweet female co-worker thought I was such a "good sport" that she gave me my drink for free. I told her that I was happy to pay and that it really did NOT bother me..in fact, I appreciated the laughter it brought my way. When she refused to accept my money, I told her what a HUGE blessing this was. Mommy only had a short amount of time to "escape & refuel" and was also trying to watch her "spending" on NON-necessities like over-priced, frozen coffee drinks (i kept that part to myself). But, that was the truth and it really was such a timely blessing.
I found the most comfortable, oversized (over-sat-in) chair in the corner and savored every sip & every second of my guilty pleasure (People magazine)...not to mention some pretty good people-watching, as well. When I finally got up to leave and thanked the generous barista for my drink, I asked her, "What's your name?" With a sweet, friendly response she answered, "GRACE!"
Yesterday afternoon, God poured out his GRACE...in more ways than one! Thank you, Jesus, that your mercies are new every morning....and some cloudy afternoons.
Paul's mom usually makes at least one weekly visit out to Katy to see the Girls. Yesterday was the day. By the time she arrived (around 3:00), I had already raised my voice more than 75 times...attempted to resolve more than 25 sisterly squabbles...and was down to counting the milliseconds until Paul got home from work. NeNe barely made it in the door when I grabbed my keys and told her, "I'll be back in a bit; just call my cell if you need me!" I was in the car and heading to ANYWHERE...it didn't matter. I simply needed O-U-T!
My car--and my caffeine craving---led me directly to the nearby Starbucks. With one eye on my watch, I knew I had a good hour to spend sipping & savoring my yummy Starbucks and pouring into the latest People magazine before Mommyhood would come calling me back home. Just being out and alone, I was already winding down as I entered the coffee shop.
This is where the real story takes place. Everything up to this point is simply Mommy needing to vent jargon that may have diverted your attention to this lengthy posting. If you're still reading, take note. Upon entering Starbucks yesterday, I was greeted by one of the nice, young, male baristas. He looked at me with one hand on his mop and the other on the door and said, "Hey, Guy!" I literally laughed outloud and replied in a deep "manly" voice, "Well, Hello!" I not only got a good laugh out of the barista and his fellow co-workers, but I also was handed a delicious coffee Frappacino at NO charge! The barista was overly apologetic...admitting he had been there "all day" and was just a little "distracted." I laughed along with him but said I'd probably think twice about wearing my black visor out of the house next time : ).
The sweet and timely blessing out of all of this is that his very sweet female co-worker thought I was such a "good sport" that she gave me my drink for free. I told her that I was happy to pay and that it really did NOT bother me..in fact, I appreciated the laughter it brought my way. When she refused to accept my money, I told her what a HUGE blessing this was. Mommy only had a short amount of time to "escape & refuel" and was also trying to watch her "spending" on NON-necessities like over-priced, frozen coffee drinks (i kept that part to myself). But, that was the truth and it really was such a timely blessing.
I found the most comfortable, oversized (over-sat-in) chair in the corner and savored every sip & every second of my guilty pleasure (People magazine)...not to mention some pretty good people-watching, as well. When I finally got up to leave and thanked the generous barista for my drink, I asked her, "What's your name?" With a sweet, friendly response she answered, "GRACE!"
Yesterday afternoon, God poured out his GRACE...in more ways than one! Thank you, Jesus, that your mercies are new every morning....and some cloudy afternoons.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
David Heads HOME
Already missing my dear Uncle David who met his Maker early this BEAUTIFUL Sunday morning (his favorite day of the week). I can only imagine the DAY he is having!!! : ) Happy Homegoing, David. Love you so!
Saturday, July 24, 2010
"I love you too!"
Today, Paul and I took Vivian & Elizabeth and we headed to College Station to visit my dear Uncle David who is just moments away from meeting his Savior face to face. His agressive cancer has taken its toll and Jesus has decided it's almost time to have David all to Himself. We wait. We pray. We grieve. We laugh. We cry. We remember. We love. We hope. We rest...knowing that David's 2 1/2 years of physical suffering will be gone in a second, and his body will be WHOLE--more complete than it has ever been this side of Heaven.
Today, as I proudly stood at David's bedside, softly stroking his very weak and swollen right hand, my Aunt Wendy walked over to tend to her beloved Husband of 37+ years. After offering him another sip of water and blotting his warm forehead, she lovingly and peacefully gazed for several moments into David's beautiful blue eyes and whispered, "I love you!"
There were no words. The moment was indescribeable. An "I love you" that was more profound and heartfelt than I had ever heard or SEEN before. My heart was full. My tears were many. The room was still.
Just seconds after Wendy's spoke those words, David slowly mustered up enough energy to return the solemn gaze and whispered, "I love you, too."
Thank you, Father, that You love David and that David loves YOU! Thank you for how you have loved on David through his precious wife, Wendy, and his family & friends. Thank you for the Gift of eternal life and that David will receive it once his eyes close for the last time.
Today, as I proudly stood at David's bedside, softly stroking his very weak and swollen right hand, my Aunt Wendy walked over to tend to her beloved Husband of 37+ years. After offering him another sip of water and blotting his warm forehead, she lovingly and peacefully gazed for several moments into David's beautiful blue eyes and whispered, "I love you!"
There were no words. The moment was indescribeable. An "I love you" that was more profound and heartfelt than I had ever heard or SEEN before. My heart was full. My tears were many. The room was still.
Just seconds after Wendy's spoke those words, David slowly mustered up enough energy to return the solemn gaze and whispered, "I love you, too."
Thank you, Father, that You love David and that David loves YOU! Thank you for how you have loved on David through his precious wife, Wendy, and his family & friends. Thank you for the Gift of eternal life and that David will receive it once his eyes close for the last time.
Monday, July 19, 2010
When Our Expectations Aren't Met....God hands us a SNO-CONE
After our Saturday chores were done and errands were run, it was time to head to the neighborhood pool! Vivian & Elizabeth were doing their normal cheerleading routine on the way to the car while Mommy and Daddy were loading up and locking the house. Finally, we were OFF, and it was going to be another fun "UFO" (United Family Outing)...or so we thought.
Driving into the pool parking lot just moments later, we were met by a friendly young lifeguard and very distant proclamations of thunder. ROAR! The pool was closing and so were the skies. It was time to go elsewhere. But where? What could top the pool for two precious little Fish in the backseat? The same little fish who had tried to wear their "star" float in their car seats on the way to the pool? As a parent does almost 100 times a day, I had to think fast on my flip-flops! What would we do now? Going home and watching "Barney" would just NOT cut it.
SNO CONES!!! As soon as the thought came to me, however, so did the dark, mysterious rain clouds. We'd have to move quick if we were even going to make it to the shaved ice stand before they closed for the rain delay. We did just that.
Paul and the Girls stayed in the car while I went up and got our icey treats. Mmmm! Bahama Mama's Shaved Ice in Katy. If you've never been, make a date---bring your family or just the kids. It's worth the drive out west for this fun, COOL refreshing treat. Who says you shouldn't travel more than 20 miles just for a cup of ice? You'll disagree once you've make the adventure your own.
Although our travel time was less than 2 miles, it quickly became an adventure. The skies closed even more and the rain started to pour as the last cup of Pink Lemonde ice was being put in between my fingers. I quickly rushed to the car, passed off the 4 cups to Paul and jumped into my seat. Mommy was wet and the pool wasn't an option, but it was still a United. Family. Outing.
To keep our UFO from quickly becoming a UFI once we arrived back home, we decided to try something new. A Garage Picnic. Why enjoy the beautiful downpour of rain from inside, when a hot & humid garage makes the perfect covered patio. So....we laid down the towels, pulled out some comfy stools and enjoyed the last part of our sno cones, all while watching heavy raindrops bounce off our cars and into the rushing river forming against the curb. It made our day getting to watch V&E step gingerly out into the rain to get their hair wet...laugh hysterically... and then quickly step back under cover. The unexpected UFO was beautiful. Fun. Relaxing. Wet. Peaceful. Family. United.
And even though we didn't get to experience another fun trip to the Cinco Ranch pool, God handed us a sno cone & another memory that will last a lifetime. Just another timely reminder that God can turn our UNMET expectations into something Beautiful...Delicious...Memorable...Fun....Peaceful....Perfect.
Driving into the pool parking lot just moments later, we were met by a friendly young lifeguard and very distant proclamations of thunder. ROAR! The pool was closing and so were the skies. It was time to go elsewhere. But where? What could top the pool for two precious little Fish in the backseat? The same little fish who had tried to wear their "star" float in their car seats on the way to the pool? As a parent does almost 100 times a day, I had to think fast on my flip-flops! What would we do now? Going home and watching "Barney" would just NOT cut it.
SNO CONES!!! As soon as the thought came to me, however, so did the dark, mysterious rain clouds. We'd have to move quick if we were even going to make it to the shaved ice stand before they closed for the rain delay. We did just that.
Paul and the Girls stayed in the car while I went up and got our icey treats. Mmmm! Bahama Mama's Shaved Ice in Katy. If you've never been, make a date---bring your family or just the kids. It's worth the drive out west for this fun, COOL refreshing treat. Who says you shouldn't travel more than 20 miles just for a cup of ice? You'll disagree once you've make the adventure your own.
Although our travel time was less than 2 miles, it quickly became an adventure. The skies closed even more and the rain started to pour as the last cup of Pink Lemonde ice was being put in between my fingers. I quickly rushed to the car, passed off the 4 cups to Paul and jumped into my seat. Mommy was wet and the pool wasn't an option, but it was still a United. Family. Outing.
To keep our UFO from quickly becoming a UFI once we arrived back home, we decided to try something new. A Garage Picnic. Why enjoy the beautiful downpour of rain from inside, when a hot & humid garage makes the perfect covered patio. So....we laid down the towels, pulled out some comfy stools and enjoyed the last part of our sno cones, all while watching heavy raindrops bounce off our cars and into the rushing river forming against the curb. It made our day getting to watch V&E step gingerly out into the rain to get their hair wet...laugh hysterically... and then quickly step back under cover. The unexpected UFO was beautiful. Fun. Relaxing. Wet. Peaceful. Family. United.
And even though we didn't get to experience another fun trip to the Cinco Ranch pool, God handed us a sno cone & another memory that will last a lifetime. Just another timely reminder that God can turn our UNMET expectations into something Beautiful...Delicious...Memorable...Fun....Peaceful....Perfect.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
My Blogging Debut
I delivered my precious twin daughters 2 1/2 years ago. Since then, I've only taken 6 showers and brushed my teeth about 17 times! Miraculously, I still have quite a few friends & my husband still chooses to sleep in bed next to me every night.
Life with twin girls HAS started to get easier over the last few months. My precious Vivian (with "boingy, boingy hair") decided to start taking naps around March & our new community in Katy has opened up a wide world of child-friendly possibilities for daily entertainment. We love it here!
Speaking of possibilities, I now have more time to shower and brush my teeth in a week. Everyone around me is grateful! Furthermore, I even have time to pursue two things that I've wanted to do for a long time: photography & writing. While I'm slowly progressing in my picture-taking abilities, I decided to reserve an outlet for my other passion--writing. Simply put, all of my thoughts, observations & learned lessons were started to stumble all over each other in my head. I needed a "filing system" for all the above. Hence, my BLOGGING DEBUT! I should go take a shower, but this is way too much fun...
Life with twin girls HAS started to get easier over the last few months. My precious Vivian (with "boingy, boingy hair") decided to start taking naps around March & our new community in Katy has opened up a wide world of child-friendly possibilities for daily entertainment. We love it here!
Speaking of possibilities, I now have more time to shower and brush my teeth in a week. Everyone around me is grateful! Furthermore, I even have time to pursue two things that I've wanted to do for a long time: photography & writing. While I'm slowly progressing in my picture-taking abilities, I decided to reserve an outlet for my other passion--writing. Simply put, all of my thoughts, observations & learned lessons were started to stumble all over each other in my head. I needed a "filing system" for all the above. Hence, my BLOGGING DEBUT! I should go take a shower, but this is way too much fun...
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