Mundane

I have come here several times to write about life, but inevitably I get distracted by my friends' blogs. As I read their incredibly heartfelt and motivating words, my pen halts. I keep thinking, 'I have nothing filling my life right now that is incredible or motivating'. My days are spent battling morning sickness and fatigue, tending to my son (who, by the way, has been sick for 3 months now), juggling work and home, maintaining my marriage, and trying to find my to do list. I say that tongue in cheek. I feel secure in the fact that it is safely tucked under all of my unopened mail, which lies just beyond my son's ever stretching arms. Nevertheless, nothing spectacular, right? What a lousy attitude to have at Thanksgiving.

This year, as we approached the holidays, I was feeling a little blue. I was having a very hard time thinking about what I am thankful for. Then I thought, I have one of the most loving, encouraging, understanding, compassionate husbands in the world. He continually bends over backward to lend a helping hand. All day long he works with families that are broken, torn, and irrepairable. Does my husband come home with a heavy heart? No. He comes home holding me and my son a little tighter because he is grateful for the mundane. He appreciates the fact that there is nothing extravagant going on in our lives. Most of all, he appreciates that we are a team and we love eachother very much.

Let's not forget my wonderful son. Yes, there are times when he teaches me patience. Irregardless, that boy is a blessing. He is so inquisitive, loving and full of energy. He keeps me going even on the days where I just want to collapse. I feel an abundance of joy when I come home at the end of the day and he greets me with clapping and squeals.
The more I think about it, the more I realize that my life is incredible and motivating in its own way.

Friendship

Friends every girl needs...from this girls perspective.

Everyone needs that friend who is going through the same stage of life you are. They are that friend who can share in the laughs, triumphs and in the fears. This friend gets it because they are it.

Everyone needs that friend who has been there and done that. If you are a mom, they are the seasoned veteran who knows that it is never okay to leave your baby alone on the changing table. Who, when you don't have a high chair, grab the nearest length of fabric and fasten the baby to chair. They are the one that you can call at midnight in a panic to say your kid "sounds funny" and they suggest taking them out in the night air or bringing them in the bathroom with the shower running. They help guide the path.

Everyone needs that friend who is slightly more "hype" than you are. They are the friend that knows all about the latest and greatest gadget, shoe, movie star, etc... This friend helps you step away from life and feel cool, if but for a second. They make you feel like you've visited somewhere exotic.

Everyone needs that friend who is completely opposite from you. You are clean, they are messy. You are organized, they are always six steps behind. This friend helps you appreciate a better balance and learn to compromise. They help you practice patience. Most of all, they help you truly learn to love who you are.

Everyone needs that friend who is young and single and carefree. This friend helps you get out of your bubble and experience life a little. They encourage you and remind you that you're not dead.

Everyone needs that friend who is not afraid to tell you how it is. Sometimes we spend more time in life sugar coating things, when really what we need is a big swift kick in the bum.

Everyone needs a friend who you only connect with once in a while. The infrequency of visits makes you feel like you are getting a special treat. It is fun to sit with this friend and hear the tales of eachother's life. Then feel no guilt because you know it will be a very long time before your ship's pass again.

Most of all, Everyone needs that friend who knows you more than you know yourself, will come flying across town at the most inconvenient time just to reassure you. This friend doesn't mind the lunch stain on your top, or that you haven't showered all day cause your husband is sick and you are trying to keep your head above water. This friend is the opitomy of love in action.

What does your friend list look like?

So out of touch..

I was reading my friends blog the other day and it occurred to me how completely isolated and consumed a parent can become. I remember when I was single and childless how I would sometimes dread conversations with my "parental" friends. It seems all they could talk about was their kids. Lately, I have often found myself on the other side of the spectrum. People ask me how I am doing and my reply sounds something like, " Good, Logan slept well last night." Or, "I'm a little tired, Logan is teething right now. " Since when did my well-being depend on the temperament of someone else? November, that's when. I remember the days when I could just pick up and travel anywhere on a whim. When going to the grocery store was not a chore. When I actually enjoyed window shopping.
As a result of this inspiration, I realized that I have been neglecting the ME factor. When I got married, Aric and I agreed that we would each take time to explore and enhance our individuality. Also, we said that if we had kids, we would make a genuine effort to keep our relationship alive and vibrant. Which we have done, but maybe not as successfully as I would like.
A while back we went out on a "date" without Logan to a dinner and a movie. I sat across from my husband of just 20 months and wondered, what did we talk about before we had a kid?
Fear not, as the night progressed, we found plenty to talk about and enjoyed eachother very much. I think we both enjoyed the relaxation and "quiet" so much that neither one wanted to interrupt it. Nevertheless, one thing I learned from these two things is that Aric and I need to spend more time as a couple with some "babyless" friends. That way we will feel "normal" again.

Life Goal

I have finally decided what I want to be in life...A BEAR...Yes, you are reading that correctly. As summer approaches and the many sleepless nights accumulate, the idea of hibernation becomes more and more appealing, once again, jealously ensues. This thought is not unique to me. Bears have it made. They get to eat all they want. The larger they are, the better. Six months out of the year is designated to sleep. While they are sleeping they give birth to walnut sized children. Speaking of their children, if anyone tries to harm them, it is not only acceptable, however it is expected that bears will annihilate anyone that comes near them. People understand and consent that bears are going to wake up grouchy and hungry. Above and beyond this, if anyone even so much as violates the general vicinity of a bear, they can assume they will be attacked. Why? Because it's a bear. Yes. This is why I have fully decided that I would rather be a bear.

Go Ceilings!

Reliving the holidays...
I had a moment of lucidity today when I began printing out paper that was to be pinned to myself and declared a costume. It was then that I realized that I really could care less about the holidays this year. Now I know that some don't consider halloween a "real" holiday, nonetheless, I typically involve myself in unique, if not crafty, costumes. Most years, I enjoy getting dolled up and entertaining myself in the flow of children that appear at the church for the annual harvest party. Every year I sit at the booth marked "face painting" and wait for children to move toward my chair. A small number of the children know exactly what they covet. The majority of the children, however, approach with some trepidation. When I ask what they want painted, they hesitate as if it is some grand decision. One might think that they are making the decision toward a design that would remain with them for the rest of their lives. When I am done they scuttle off and show everyone as if they have a masterpiece centered on their cheek. The entire process really is amusing.
This year though, I approach the holiday with a melancholy spirit and a laminated piece of paper that says "Go Ceilings". Hopefully some will get the pun and know that I am dressed as a ceiling fan...

It's a girl.

When I was a little girl, I wanted to be a tap dancing, firefighting ballerina. As I grew older a few more professions joined the pack (teacher, counselor, policewoman, etc...) When in college, I aspired to be a school counselor, teacher, trauma team therapist, etc... As it sits now, I am still undecided. This is why I think that God should have tattooed our destinies on our butts. Then when we came into this world the doctor could flip us over and simply shout...'It's a teacher' or 'It's a lawyer' instead of declaring our gender. The more I think about it though, I would hate to be the parents of the deadbeat burger flipper. Maybe tattoos on our butts are not such a good idea.