New Year Resolutions

The new year always brings about people's new ideas for changing the who what when where and whys of peoples' lives. I find it interesting that it always begins January 1. What baffles me about this practice of new year resolutions is that you can make anything like that at any point in the year and commit to doing said thing for a year from the start date. It doesn't necessarily have to do with January 1. So where did this practice of "New Year's Resolutions" come from??

According to wikipedia (which I KNOW as a trained journalist this is not a reliable source, but it is an adequate one with a lot of information in one spot):

"The ancient Babylonians made promises to their gods at the start of each year that they would return borrowed objects and pay their debts.^[1]

The Romans began each year by making promises to the god Janus, for whom the month of January is named.^[2]

In the Medieval era, the knights took the "peacock vow" at the end of the Christmas season each year to re-affirm their commitment to chivalry.^[1]

At watchnight services, many Christians prepare for the year ahead by praying and making these resolutions."

 Hmm ... interesting that resolutions like this go so far back in history. I think I kinda like that "peacock vow" I may forward that to Aaron and see if he can put that as his resolution!! AHAHAHAHA just kidding!


I guess when I started thinking about New Year's Resolutions is was just one thing more to set myself up for failure. Don't get me wrong, I have participated over and over again in this practice for as long as I can remember, and my failure rate is somewhere around 94%. However, I also begin the next year with new resolutions, more defined and understandable and, hopefully, resolutions that will set me up for success instead of failure. 


So in light of the new year (only 6 days late) I am writing my new year's resolutions.


I resolve to be kinder, gentler, and more understanding of people, their circumstances, and the situations that may have brought them to this point in their life. 
I resolve to devote my heart, soul, and mind to Jesus as a servant of His word, deed, and action, in order to show His unconditional love for all.
I resolve to be a committed and loving wife to my husband, for whom God has placed in my life to make me a better person and Christian.
I resolve to love and care for my children unconditionally. No matter how crazy they might be driving me and to call on Christ in those moments of lost patience.
I resolve to take care of myself. My body, my mind, and most importantly, my spirit. To exercise, nurture, and feed all three with healthy and sustainable information and substance.


I think that is it. My mind went blank after that last one! I hope you have found some resolutions that you would be successful at for the year 2012 and that you and your family have a blessed and beautiful year!


Peace!

Santa Stranger Danger

This afternoon we participated in an event that is traditional to families with kids involving an old man dressed in a red velvet suit with a long white beard and a hat. The only body part visible to children is his eyes. I can see how visiting Santa Claus would frighten a two year old.

However, my daughter had only a small attack of the shybies and was able, very slowly, to spit out her hearts desires for Christmas, quietly muttering something about a vanity, fake cat, and dolls. Then Santa glanced at me assuring her that a couple of those things could be under our tree Christmas morning. Great .. now I gotta go buy more stuff! :)

Meanwhile, Mason was standing, staring at the man in complete fear at a safe distance of 10 or so feet back. When it came time for him to tell Santa what he wanted for Christmas he kept his safe distance and repeated whatever Kara was whispering in his hear. Something about a Ladybug Pillow Pet. Say what???

At any rate, he did, for a brief moment step forward to retrieve a candy cane from Santa while bolting away as fast as he could. Then once again as he was safe distance from the Santa, proceeded to stare at him. Only to fret when I forced BEGGED him to take a picture with Santa. Mason did compromise by sitting on Aaron's knee while leaning dramatically away from Santa.

When I think about all the children that scream and throw fits when parents put them on Santa's knee for a holiday picture and then put into perspective the camouflaged issues of his clothing with only the peering eyes, yeah that scares me too! What is it about Santa Stranger Danger that frightens so many kids? And, yet, we as parents INSIST on violating those natural instincts of survival by forcing our children to interact with someone they do not know. LOL It's quite humorous I guess.

Anyway, here is a collage of the event. Enjoy and Merry Christmas!

Not So Common Public Knowledge

I have been debating for some time as to whether or not make this public knowledge, but I've come to the conclusion, that it is something I need to let anyone know who wants to make, send, or buy me edible gifts.

I found out in July that I have a severe cow's milk, baker's yeast and sesame allergy. This is probably shocking to a lot of people, as you can imagine how learning this information was extremely shocking to me. And it dramatically effected my grocery lists and bill.

I haven't been diligent AT ALL with sticking to a diet that removes all these things and their derivatives until as of late, when my migraines, stomach issues and acne reappeared and said .. "okay .. you wanna eat this stuff .. we'll make you a deal and just hang about." Yeah I'm so not okay with looking like I'm going through puberty all over again.

It's been a learning experience for me. I have realized that I don't need to eat anything that contains those things. For a long time I felt deprived, angry, and most frequently, HUNGRY! You wouldn't believe how incredibly hard it is to find foods that are 100% cow's milk free .. I'm talking even preservative free. Even soy and almond cheese alternatives have sodium caseinate in them which is a milk protein. I have become fond of goat cheese as an alternative. Soo...

At any rate, I never wanted to discuss this because I get so tired of people always complaining about their health issues, allergies, or what have you. I just usually refuse whatever it is that has the milk component and find a more fresh, less tainted item to eat. It really is amazing the difference I feel when I don't eat foods with those three items.

I'd like to say in closing, PLEASE don't treat me like a freak when I say "No, thank you" to your 5 star cheesecake or your yummy yummy creamed soups! They are my favorite.

Peace!

I write poetry! AHAHAH

SAHM ADD

Dirty socks and underwear,
Laundry is my burden to bare.
Groceries, snacks and meals that fill,
Oh, crap! Did I pay that bill??

Endless errands to get done,
Bandage up that little bruised thumb.
Sweep and mop and vacuum the floor,
PLEASE DON'T SLAM THAT BEDROOM DOOR!!!

Children that run and laugh and play,
Make Mondays seem Okay.
Bathtime, storytime, bedtime, YES!!
Now I can sit and rest.

Wait... leaving dishes in the sink,
Will really make my morning stink.
Kitchen cleaned, time to sit,
Really wish I knew how to knit.

My stay-at-home days are numbered too few,
And are going by fast with all I do.
I am a loud and proud Stay-At-Home Mom,
EW!! That diaper was a bomb!

Hair Touching or HAIRassing!! AHAHAHA

Something has been sticking out at me the past .. oh say 30 odd years .. something bright, vibrant, noticeable, and it's something that EVERYONE has to comment on. Can you guess what it is???? OH yeah .. my hair color! :)
I've been a red head since birth, and while I do love my hair, I can remember a time in my life that I didn't care for being a redhead. The truth is, red hair is somewhat a phenomenon. So does this make me a phenomenon?!?! Heck yeah! Which is why I'm so awesome, right??? Just agree and go with me on this!
I have a few redheaded friends that are gorgeous women. My sister and brother and few cousins are redheads (runs in the family). My grandpa was lovingly called "Red" and not because of his rosy cheeks after a glass or two of Wild Turkey. :) Love you gramps!
The truth is that red hair is a show stopper. Women pay hundreds of dollars to dye their hair red, all the while, a true redhead can point out dyed red hair. ;) Oh yeah .. we know girls. You can't fake it.
You know, I have dyed my hair twice in my life .. like ALL of my hair. And it was always a darker shade of red. I never sought out to actually "change" my hair color. Cause I love it.
I'm sure you wondering if there's a point to this blog. No worries, I'm wondering the same thing. HAHAHA!
I know that when people comment on my hair, they are doing it with the best of intentions, but sometimes, very rarely, am I wondering if they are going to stalk me in my sleep and scalp me. No no .. just kidding. .. er wait .. no I'm serious.
I bring this topic up because I have a friend who has aweseomely beautifully styled hair all the time, and recently she was at a shopping mall where some creeper touched her hair. I can totally relate to the creeper. I want to touch her hair all the time. HOWEVER, I value having ALL 10 of my fingers connected to my hand.
Anyway, I know what she felt when she was weirded out (and somewhat annoyed) at the touching of the hair. This is my whole life. People always want to touch my hair. WHY!?!? I don't get it. I mean, I could have been suffering from lice that day or something. Seriously.
The point is, even though people have beautiful hair, don't touch it. It's wrong on so many levels. Not to mention most women have spent countless seconds perfecting exactly where that specific hair you are touching is being positioned. And because you thought it was okay to touch said hair .. you've now messed up the positioning.
In closing, if you really want red hair .. you will really have to pay a pretty penny to get it perfectly dyed. Maroon hair does not look good on anyone. Well maybe that one person, but typically not really on anyone.

Cheers!

Turning 30.

For the past couple weeks (maybe even months if we really want to look into this) I've been fretting this upcoming birthday of turning 30. I've never stressed over a birthday before, and I hope I never do again. It's not that I don't like getting older, because that doesn't bother me. It was more of a dwelling in the past and of missed opportunities or misguided decisions. Now, for some letting go of the past is easy. It's not for me. I remember every event, every emotion, and usually every person involved.

Today, I was having a conversation with a friend. And he said to me, "Some things are simply lost in the past and we cannot retrieve them." Now this may have been said to me before, but it never clicked. I've had several conversations with a few friends about why turning 30 is bothering me so much, unable to pinpoint the reason. The truth is, there were many reasons, which would explain why it was so hard to narrow down the exact reason.

I realized today that I have a very beautiful and awesome life. It's not that I didn't already KNOW this, it's just that I never ACCEPTED it. My marriage is strong, my kids are awesome, my health is perfect (minus some few extra pounds I'm still working on losing), my friends are great. I really have a great life. I wasn't necessarily seeking a differently life through this problem with turning 30, but more of recollecting the decisions that were life defining.

I remember when my cousin, Dawn, was about to turn 20 and she was beside herself about leaving her teen years, and I didn't get what the big deal was. LOL We were living together and it was somewhat humorous to me, at the time, that she was so stressed about it. I get it now.

Changing years is a lot like changing pages in a book you've never read before. You have an idea of what might come next, but you cling to what you know in order to soften the unexpected blows. Like reading a love novel and you turn to the next chapter and suddenly the damsel is hurt in a car wreck .. OR .. watching a movie about a broken family and then they rekindle and everything is right with the world. Getting older in life is no different.

We all know what we've done, where we've been and the choices we've made. It isn't until we get older that we see how all these choices were domino effects on our life. I'm not old, or wise, but I'm starting to understand how one decision could've changed my whole life. Or many decisions. At times, I've sat and regretted some opportunities missed and some choices that were made. In doing this it only caused inner conflict and turmoil with my current and most awesome life. Dwelling on the past of yays and nays is not a good way to spend ones upcoming 30th birthday.

My goal for my 30th birthday, and for the rest of my life, is to always look forward and be grateful for the day I am given. I cannot change what did or didn't happen in the past. I can, however, appreciate what I have and use every minute I am given to be the person I was born and meant to be.

So in two days, when I change to a whole new set of numbers, it's not going to be a day of remorse for the things I missed out on, or the bad things I did. It's going to be a day of celebration of what's to come. Of adventures not yet sought. Of experiences I haven't yet felt. Of a life that I have, want, and love!

Peace.

Halloween ta-dahs

So this year the kids dressed up for Halloween, because kids like to do that. Aaron and I did not participate in the dressing up festivities, but instead relished in the delight and fun through our kids' eyes. I really appreciate the innocence and excitement over such little things as miniature candies and random toys that will break within the first 24-hour period of ownership. But the miniature candies do not excite me. No, you know what would get me excited about Halloween?? Trick-or-treating and getting a pillow case full of king size candy bars. Yeah .. that would make me dress up! :)

Anyway, our kids were dressed up as a princess (Kara) and Nacho from "Nacho Libre" (Mason). He was often confused with being Superman and I think, though I'm not sure, that him wearing his red underwear outside of his blue tights might be the cause of the confusion. But when comparing the following two pictures. you'll see the resemblance when the mustache and eye brows are considered.

Mason as "Nacho"

My son LOVES the movie "Nacho Libre." If you haven't seen it and you are a Jack Black fan .. you really should see this movie. :)

Kara, my beautiful princess, was once again a Princess this year for Halloween. She loves Halloween and the dressing up aspect of it. She looked like a princess with her crown and beautiful dress.

Now onto our busy November with three birthdays and a holiday all in one month! :)

Hope you had a fun Halloween!

Peace.