A Thousand Things To Do.....

Right now I have a thousand things to do.  I’m doing one of them.

 

Right now I have a plan.  It is to do this one thing out of a thousand things.  When I am finished with this one thing, I will do another.  And another, and another.  I will continue working at this list of a thousand things.  It will look like I am getting things done.  I will be, but the list will not end.  For each thing I finish, another one will go on the list.

 

My husband has five things for me to do.  I haven’t told him my plan, because it has no end.  Plans usually have ends.

 

He will want me to do these five things, and I will do them.  My list of a thousand things will wait.

 

Each of my children have seven things for me to do.  I haven’t told them my plan either.

 

They will want me to do those fourteen things, and I will do them.  My list of a thousand things will wait again.

 

When I complete these nineteen things for my family, I will pick up where I left off and do one of the thousand things that I have planned to do on my list that has no end.

 

And things will pile up, and I will fall behind.

 

But I am only one person, and I can only get one person’s worth of things done.  Right now there are a thousand things that are on my list.  Twenty of them are crossed off.

 

Tomorrow, I plan to pick up my list and start again.  Twenty things will be added to the list, and tomorrow, like every day, I will have a thousand things to do.

I've Seen Things......

Though my life may seem small, short, and ordinary, I’ve seen things.

 

Irrational things.  Miraculous things.  Extraordinary things. 

 

Things that I didn’t want to see.  Things that I wish I hadn’t seen.

 

Things that I’m glad I saw.  Things that changed me.

 

I’ve seen a light in the sky that was not explainable.  A heavenly light switch flipped on, then off.

 

I’ve seen black smoke fill a house.

 

I’ve seen a face soften with one word, one tear, one small action.

  

I’ve seen wounds heal over time, physical and emotional.

 

I’ve seen a crime happen. 

 

I’ve seen a man gasp for breath on his next-to-last day on earth.

 

I’ve seen joy.  The face of my daughter on her birthday.  The smile of my son as I give him the go ahead to play with his friends.

  

I’ve seen injury.

 

I’ve seen violence. 

 

I’ve seen love.

 

I’ve seen fear.

 

 

 

 

I’ve seen all of these things and more.  They are not destinations.  They are not goals.  They are things that happened, things that I just happened to catch while living this life.

 

You’ve probably seen them, too.

Happy Birthday Ayden!

Ayden,

Wow, what a year it has been for you. I blink and all the sudden, you’re not a little kid anymore. You’re growing up way too fast for my liking. You are all at once mature, keenly responsible, and acting more like a grown-up than a kid every day.

And while it’s equal parts awesome and no! no! not yet!, it’s also a little bit …, where did my baby boy go?

I give you one more summer and you will surely be taller than me. By Christmas, your feet will be bigger than mine (and my feet are pretty big to begin with!).

You are so thoughtful and compassionate, plus so level-headed and easygoing. Traits that I really admire in the young man you’re becoming. You have showed fierce determination when you fixate on a goal (raising grades, participation, etc.), and can do anything you set your mind to.

But this past year? This past year, I rub my eyes and see a completely different kid. Someone who is fearless, who now gravitates towards bigger, faster, higher.  Someone who has really grown into his own.

And I couldn’t be more proud.

You help around the house without being asked (sometimes), are a wonderful big brother to your sister, and are truly a pleasure to be around.

This year, you have discovered a love for playing basketball, and you’re going off in so many new and exciting directions, I can see more and more the type of young man that you are becoming. I’m so glad I get a front row seat to all of it.

I love you and you will always be my baby boy no matter how old you are.  Happy 11^th Birthday!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Superbowl.....

The kids had their own superbowl party!

They love the Panthers and were disappointed with the loss, but what a great season!

I still haven't figured out who won the superbowl that was played in my house.......

It was a rainy indoor football kind of day, so that is what they did......all day long!

Then we had loads of finger party foods for dinner (for fun, of course).

They loved every minute of it!

Witching Hour....

It was during the time of day that parents describe as the witching hour – that hour or so in late afternoon during dinner preparation when young children fall apart from the stresses of the day, whether their day consisted of napping and playing or riding along in the car all day on errands.  Tantrums and full-system meltdowns are common.  The witching hour more often than not tests a parent’s patience.  I have failed this test many times before.

 

The witching hour these days occurs as soon as we arrive home from school when the day becomes busy with schoolwork or practice or play.  Dinner is being prepared during this time, only to be consumed swiftly and in staggered order of hunger level and/or departure or arrival time dependent on nightly activities.  It was then the tantrum ensued.  A complete hour worth of crying only to find out that her best friend was mean to her today.  You see Raegan and Rynn love each other and get on each other’s nerves at the same time.  Is that even possible at three years old?  Well apparently!  They feed off each others moods……here’s hoping Rynn has no more “mean” days, because it sure makes my evening way too interesting.

Fashion Statement

Nothing beats making a winter fashion statement more than matching hats, right?  Ayden's friends mom made these for Raegan and me.  Too cute, huh?