I have three fabulous siblings. They all have there wonderful qualities and I could write for hours about all of them. But I would like to give some special acknowledgement to my sister, Sarah.
She is totally my hero! I may be the older sister, but I have learned so much about being a good wife, a good mother, a good friend, and a good sister by watching her. For those that don't know Sarah, let me introduce you.
Sarah is three years younger than me, but has always been one of my best friends. We rarely, if ever, fought growing up. And even though I am sure I thought she was annoying when I was a teenager, I was so happy when she came to Grand Valley with me, and I will always treasure the time we spent growing up and going to school together. These days she is a mother of three, she writes a column for the local newspaper, and maintains their household in the most organized and well run way, a way that I can only envy!
But let me tell you what I have learned from her.
I have learned to be selfless. Sarah gives and gives to her family. Whenever I call her, she is off running errands for her family, going to playgroups so her children are well socialized (not that my nieces and nephew could be anything else....they are AWESOME!), or taking on cookie mom duty for her daughter's Girl Scout troop (I tried, I told her to plead insanity and give it back). Every time I walk into her house, it is tidy and clean. And, she has modified dinners for her family, so that they can all eat the same thing.
Here is why. My adorable nephew and godson is allergic to just about everything. You name it, he's probably allergic to it. At least all the main stuff. Milk, soy, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, etc. For the first three months of life, he was so itchy. We all felt so bad that he would rub and rub his face on your shoulder trying to scratch. When it was finally diagnosed as food allergies, Sarah was nursing and had to cut everything out of her diet. Anything he was allergic to, she didn't eat. For like....almost a year. And then came the challenge of feeding him food. And Sarah does such a good job, she has adapted so many meals that their family eats that are allergy friendly, or there is a quick and easy substitution. For example, the spaghetti sauce she makes is friendly for all and she just has to make special noodles for my nephew. Every time there is a family get together, or the family wants to go out to eat, Sarah has to make and take special food for her son. All of this is reason to give her Mother of the Century (and I mean that with all sincerity), but there is more......She does this all without complaint. Seriously. And quite frankly, she has every reason to complain. Every now and then I expect her to just say she is tired of it all, that it sucks that her precious little guy will never have a peanut butter sandwich, that she is tired of always having to be worried about what he will come in contact with. But she never, ever does. From the time he was diagnosed, Sarah accepted it as a fact of life and figured out how to cope. She is always researching and trying to find new things to make that the whole family can eat (cookies, breads, puppy chow). Whatever she can do to make his life, and those of her other children, as normal as possible. I love her! She is A-MAY-ZING!
On top of all of that, she has a caring and sensitive heart. Over the last month, as my family has been through some difficult times, Sarah was always there to listen. To care. She has been sympathetic and understanding. I have always known that if I needed someone to listen, I could call her. I have other friends and family that have been wonderful, too, but Sarah has been my rock, as I have tried to be for my family. She is my inspiration, and some day, I hope to be half the women she is, because that would be a great accomplishment.
I love you, Sarah.
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Monday, February 18, 2013
100 Fabulous Things About My Life
I am having a very down day. I have had a lot of those lately. Part of it is mourning the loss of my mother in law, part of it is watching my kids and husband suffer with their loss, and part of it is the winter blahs. The point is: I don't want to feel this way. I don't want to post sad things on Facebook. I don't want to bring everyone around me down. I don't want to complain, so I am doing something about it. I am going to come up with 100 Fabulous Things About My Life. For the record, I am starting at 3:30 on Monday February 18th.....I'll post it as soon as I'm done.
1. Charlie: my wonderful husband
2. Calah: beautiful, talented, sweet, caring, and couldn't be nicer daughter
2. Gabriel: active, entertaining, loving, adorable, and completely wonderful son
(they both had to be #2!)
4. My mom and dad: they have loved and supported me my whole life, even when I'm not the nicest person to be around.
5. Sarah: My sister and one of my best friends. Love ya!
6. Josh and Emily: You can't find better siblings anywhere!
7. Jeff, Ellie, Jake, Anna, Candace, and James: You guys are so supportive and bring joy to my life
8. I still have 2 of my grandparents: and they are wonderful, generous people who inspire me
9. I have a job: and it pays the bills. It isn't the most glamorous, and sometimes it sucks, but I have one.
10. There is a roof over my family's head, food on the table, and the bills get paid: not everyone has that luxury (which by the way, shouldn't be a luxury, it should be an accepted standard of life..but that is a different blog).
11. My car runs and is safe: and we hope my driving is, too!
12. I have a strong faith: Maybe this should be higher, but I am writing them as they come to me. And I believe that God will answer your prayers, if you are praying for the right things. Last week, all I prayed for was peace on my heart and my husband's heart. We got it and it was the first time I felt my prayers were answered. I'm sure it's not, but it may have been the first time I was praying for the right things.
13. I live in a country where women are mostly treated with respect: To live in a country where you are treated as property would be enough to break anyone's spirit.
14. I am independent: I have my own mind, I will use my own mind, and don't try to tell me otherwise!
15. I get to travel: I love to see new places, and visit favorite spots again.
16. I live in Michigan: I love the seasons (even winter), and the beautiful scenery that doesn't exist anywhere else on earth.
17. I have healthcare: I can take my children to the doctor's or go myself without the financial burden that other people face.
18. I am healthy: I can do most any activity I wish.
19. My children are healthy: My heart goes out to people who have sick children and they have to watch them suffer.
20. My extended family is healthy: Aside from our recent tragedy, as a family we have had to deal with very little illness of loss.
3:41--not bad for 11 minutes. And I feel better. Now I am going home......
4:32...
21. Even though I have a commute, most days it is very tolerable: I have a great carpool buddy, and when I don't I enjoy the alone time.
22. I have a vivid imaginations: for many, many things!
23. I am passionate: for many, many things!
24. I am not fearless, but I am not timid, either: I think that I am the right amount of cautious and daring.
25. I have some good friends: I am not a person who has hundreds of good friends, I have many acquaintances and a few good friends. But they are all treasured.
26. I have hobbies: I know there are many mothers who live only for their children but I need my children to know that even though they are important to me, Mommy is human and allowed to have outside interests.
27. I have good vocabulary: I can be my own thesaurus and dictionary!
28. I cannot be pigeon-holed!: I have varied tastes in food, music, company, entertainment, clothing, etc.
29. I have active children: and most of their activities I like to attend. :)
30. I had a good childhood: again, not everyone can say that, but I did.
31. I have value system and I know what is important in life: God first, family second, and then everything else.
32. I was brought up with strong morals that teach me right from wrong.
33. I may not be beautiful, but I know that looks are only skin deep and I think I have a good heart: most of the time
34. I have a sensitive side: This means that sometimes other people's words and actions hurt me, but it also means that I can be compassionate and empathetic.
35. I have a sense of humor: I love to laugh and make others laugh
36. I can play 2 instruments: piano and clarinet
37. I have an education: I value knowledge and appreciate that I have been able to take advantage of the education system in this country.
38. I have a higher degree: that I earned through hard work and a patient husband.
39. The sun rises everyday and sets every night: Even on the worst day, there is always another one to make better.
40. I sleep well at night: not glamorous, but fabulous!
4:55....time to watch my kiddo dance. Feeling even better!
7:13
41. I have good time management skills: I usually get things done in a timely fashion.
42.: I am organized: some would say too organized, but I like it that way.
43. My house has character: I love my house, it is interesting.
44. I was a collegiate swimmer: Not many people can say they competed at the collegiate level, I am proud to say I did and nobody can take that away from me.
45. I am a Masters' swimmer: I got back in the water after many years and am competing again.
46. I am losing weight: Sort of plateaued at the moment, but still down from where I was last year.
47. I like my wardrobe: Shopping is way more fun when things fit!
48. I have a little disposable income: Not much, but enough to get my haircut and a pedicure if I need them.
49. I can cook: a least enough that my family doesn't starve and and most things taste pretty good.
50. I am a fierce advocate for my children: nothing is going to get in the way of what is best for my children.
51. I am comfortable with the major decisions in my life: nothing is worse that regret and, for major things, I don't have any.
52. I try to reinvent myself often: I don't want to get stuck in a rut, and I'm always ready to turn over a new leaf.
53. I am the stain master: I can get stains out of just about anything!
54. My children are getting a good education: Again, happy about the decisions I/we have made.
55. My children are well behaved: they are considerate and pleasant, and mostly behave in public.
56. I have strong principles that I try very hard to stick to.
58. We have good childcare: which has saved us more times than I care to count.
59. We have developed a good support system in town: and considering we knew nobody when we moved here, we are grateful for that.
60. My couch: it may be lame, but a lot of nights, it is just wonderful to sit on it.
61. Wine.
62. The Big Bang Theory: Love it!
63. All of my other favorite TV programs including but not limited to: Revenge, Dance Moms, Days of Our Lives, The Office, Elementary, Blue Bloods, and the Amazing Race.
7:43---time to put the monkeys to bed
8:22--I'm making cookies for Calah's birthday, too, so this may take a little longer.
64. My husband appreciates me: he just told me that it doesn't feel like home until the kids and I are here. Awwwww
65. My front porch: not now, necessarily, but in the summer it is AWESOME!
66. Camping trips: my family loves to camp, and so do I!
67. Good days: Some days are better than others, and my best days are when I see students understand what I teach.
68. Engaged Encounter ministry: I feel really blessed to work with wonderful, dedicated people and have the ability to help engaged couples.
69. A wonderful parish family: The people at our parish welcomed us with open arms even though we aren't from that small town.
70. Mary Kay: I not only love the product, but I can run my business when I can.
71. My neighborhood: it is nice to have pleasant neighbors and a safe neighborhood.
72. A curious mind: I want to know why, how, what, and where.
which leads to
73. A love of reading: mostly fiction, but nonfiction can grab my attention, too.
74. My pillow: along the same lines as the couch. It's comfortable and I love it at the end of a long day.
75. Hot water: Love me a hot shower!
76. Soda: I may not drink coffee, but this is where I get my caffeine.
77. Chocolate: quite frankly I am appalled that it is this far down the list. If anything makes me smile, it's chocolate.
78. My kitties: sure, I'm not a big animal person, but the kitties are nice and as long as they don't throw up, I like them.
79. My massage therapist: yup, I'm in every two weeks like clockwork. And I love it!
80. Snow days: I love getting them!
81. Top Gun: it's back in theaters. I really need to see it. "I feel the need, the need for speed!"
82. Wonderful co-workers: I have great colleagues that support each other in times of need.
83. Facebook: ok, fabulous may be an overstatement, but I get to stay in touch with people in my life that I otherwise would lose touch with.
84. My passport: I can go anywhere in the world! Maybe Mozambique?
85. My doctors: who will help me find causes for problems that I can't explain.
86. DNA: I get to talk about it whenever I want! It's amazing stuff!
87. My house feels like home: and it has ever since we moved in. It feels as though we never lived anywhere else.
88. My husband feels like the only one I have ever loved: it has felt like home ever since we met.
89. 3:30: I get to go home and see my family!
90. My friend Rose's book: I can't say why, but, it's fabulous! Thanks Rose!
91. Electricity: let's face it, life would suck without it and I totally enjoy it!
92. Comfy jammies: again, the couch, my pillow....but truly, I think they are fabulous
93. A warm home: I may have implied this earlier, but this is outright, I love my warm house and the work we put into it to make it more efficient.
94. Challenges: I am willing to rise to them!
95. My relatively high tolerance to pain: I think I can handle it pretty well before I complain.
96. My insistence on not airing my dirty laundry: I try to be positive instead of negative to inspire people out there.
97. My fabulous son: Gabe gets an extra special shout out because he worked so hard to learn how to speak.
98. My generous daughter: Calah teaches me how to be generous and giving. God Bless her!
99. People who read all of these lame things about me. :)
and finally...
100. Even when I am grumpy or sad, I can look on the positive side.: This blog is proof!
Finished: 9:33 pm----not bad, not bad. And I totally feel better about life!
1. Charlie: my wonderful husband
2. Calah: beautiful, talented, sweet, caring, and couldn't be nicer daughter
2. Gabriel: active, entertaining, loving, adorable, and completely wonderful son
(they both had to be #2!)
4. My mom and dad: they have loved and supported me my whole life, even when I'm not the nicest person to be around.
5. Sarah: My sister and one of my best friends. Love ya!
6. Josh and Emily: You can't find better siblings anywhere!
7. Jeff, Ellie, Jake, Anna, Candace, and James: You guys are so supportive and bring joy to my life
8. I still have 2 of my grandparents: and they are wonderful, generous people who inspire me
9. I have a job: and it pays the bills. It isn't the most glamorous, and sometimes it sucks, but I have one.
10. There is a roof over my family's head, food on the table, and the bills get paid: not everyone has that luxury (which by the way, shouldn't be a luxury, it should be an accepted standard of life..but that is a different blog).
11. My car runs and is safe: and we hope my driving is, too!
12. I have a strong faith: Maybe this should be higher, but I am writing them as they come to me. And I believe that God will answer your prayers, if you are praying for the right things. Last week, all I prayed for was peace on my heart and my husband's heart. We got it and it was the first time I felt my prayers were answered. I'm sure it's not, but it may have been the first time I was praying for the right things.
13. I live in a country where women are mostly treated with respect: To live in a country where you are treated as property would be enough to break anyone's spirit.
14. I am independent: I have my own mind, I will use my own mind, and don't try to tell me otherwise!
15. I get to travel: I love to see new places, and visit favorite spots again.
16. I live in Michigan: I love the seasons (even winter), and the beautiful scenery that doesn't exist anywhere else on earth.
17. I have healthcare: I can take my children to the doctor's or go myself without the financial burden that other people face.
18. I am healthy: I can do most any activity I wish.
19. My children are healthy: My heart goes out to people who have sick children and they have to watch them suffer.
20. My extended family is healthy: Aside from our recent tragedy, as a family we have had to deal with very little illness of loss.
3:41--not bad for 11 minutes. And I feel better. Now I am going home......
4:32...
21. Even though I have a commute, most days it is very tolerable: I have a great carpool buddy, and when I don't I enjoy the alone time.
22. I have a vivid imaginations: for many, many things!
23. I am passionate: for many, many things!
24. I am not fearless, but I am not timid, either: I think that I am the right amount of cautious and daring.
25. I have some good friends: I am not a person who has hundreds of good friends, I have many acquaintances and a few good friends. But they are all treasured.
26. I have hobbies: I know there are many mothers who live only for their children but I need my children to know that even though they are important to me, Mommy is human and allowed to have outside interests.
27. I have good vocabulary: I can be my own thesaurus and dictionary!
28. I cannot be pigeon-holed!: I have varied tastes in food, music, company, entertainment, clothing, etc.
29. I have active children: and most of their activities I like to attend. :)
30. I had a good childhood: again, not everyone can say that, but I did.
31. I have value system and I know what is important in life: God first, family second, and then everything else.
32. I was brought up with strong morals that teach me right from wrong.
33. I may not be beautiful, but I know that looks are only skin deep and I think I have a good heart: most of the time
34. I have a sensitive side: This means that sometimes other people's words and actions hurt me, but it also means that I can be compassionate and empathetic.
35. I have a sense of humor: I love to laugh and make others laugh
36. I can play 2 instruments: piano and clarinet
37. I have an education: I value knowledge and appreciate that I have been able to take advantage of the education system in this country.
38. I have a higher degree: that I earned through hard work and a patient husband.
39. The sun rises everyday and sets every night: Even on the worst day, there is always another one to make better.
40. I sleep well at night: not glamorous, but fabulous!
4:55....time to watch my kiddo dance. Feeling even better!
7:13
41. I have good time management skills: I usually get things done in a timely fashion.
42.: I am organized: some would say too organized, but I like it that way.
43. My house has character: I love my house, it is interesting.
44. I was a collegiate swimmer: Not many people can say they competed at the collegiate level, I am proud to say I did and nobody can take that away from me.
45. I am a Masters' swimmer: I got back in the water after many years and am competing again.
46. I am losing weight: Sort of plateaued at the moment, but still down from where I was last year.
47. I like my wardrobe: Shopping is way more fun when things fit!
48. I have a little disposable income: Not much, but enough to get my haircut and a pedicure if I need them.
49. I can cook: a least enough that my family doesn't starve and and most things taste pretty good.
50. I am a fierce advocate for my children: nothing is going to get in the way of what is best for my children.
51. I am comfortable with the major decisions in my life: nothing is worse that regret and, for major things, I don't have any.
52. I try to reinvent myself often: I don't want to get stuck in a rut, and I'm always ready to turn over a new leaf.
53. I am the stain master: I can get stains out of just about anything!
54. My children are getting a good education: Again, happy about the decisions I/we have made.
55. My children are well behaved: they are considerate and pleasant, and mostly behave in public.
56. I have strong principles that I try very hard to stick to.
58. We have good childcare: which has saved us more times than I care to count.
59. We have developed a good support system in town: and considering we knew nobody when we moved here, we are grateful for that.
60. My couch: it may be lame, but a lot of nights, it is just wonderful to sit on it.
61. Wine.
62. The Big Bang Theory: Love it!
63. All of my other favorite TV programs including but not limited to: Revenge, Dance Moms, Days of Our Lives, The Office, Elementary, Blue Bloods, and the Amazing Race.
7:43---time to put the monkeys to bed
8:22--I'm making cookies for Calah's birthday, too, so this may take a little longer.
64. My husband appreciates me: he just told me that it doesn't feel like home until the kids and I are here. Awwwww
65. My front porch: not now, necessarily, but in the summer it is AWESOME!
66. Camping trips: my family loves to camp, and so do I!
67. Good days: Some days are better than others, and my best days are when I see students understand what I teach.
68. Engaged Encounter ministry: I feel really blessed to work with wonderful, dedicated people and have the ability to help engaged couples.
69. A wonderful parish family: The people at our parish welcomed us with open arms even though we aren't from that small town.
70. Mary Kay: I not only love the product, but I can run my business when I can.
71. My neighborhood: it is nice to have pleasant neighbors and a safe neighborhood.
72. A curious mind: I want to know why, how, what, and where.
which leads to
73. A love of reading: mostly fiction, but nonfiction can grab my attention, too.
74. My pillow: along the same lines as the couch. It's comfortable and I love it at the end of a long day.
75. Hot water: Love me a hot shower!
76. Soda: I may not drink coffee, but this is where I get my caffeine.
77. Chocolate: quite frankly I am appalled that it is this far down the list. If anything makes me smile, it's chocolate.
78. My kitties: sure, I'm not a big animal person, but the kitties are nice and as long as they don't throw up, I like them.
79. My massage therapist: yup, I'm in every two weeks like clockwork. And I love it!
80. Snow days: I love getting them!
81. Top Gun: it's back in theaters. I really need to see it. "I feel the need, the need for speed!"
82. Wonderful co-workers: I have great colleagues that support each other in times of need.
83. Facebook: ok, fabulous may be an overstatement, but I get to stay in touch with people in my life that I otherwise would lose touch with.
84. My passport: I can go anywhere in the world! Maybe Mozambique?
85. My doctors: who will help me find causes for problems that I can't explain.
86. DNA: I get to talk about it whenever I want! It's amazing stuff!
87. My house feels like home: and it has ever since we moved in. It feels as though we never lived anywhere else.
88. My husband feels like the only one I have ever loved: it has felt like home ever since we met.
89. 3:30: I get to go home and see my family!
90. My friend Rose's book: I can't say why, but, it's fabulous! Thanks Rose!
91. Electricity: let's face it, life would suck without it and I totally enjoy it!
92. Comfy jammies: again, the couch, my pillow....but truly, I think they are fabulous
93. A warm home: I may have implied this earlier, but this is outright, I love my warm house and the work we put into it to make it more efficient.
94. Challenges: I am willing to rise to them!
95. My relatively high tolerance to pain: I think I can handle it pretty well before I complain.
96. My insistence on not airing my dirty laundry: I try to be positive instead of negative to inspire people out there.
97. My fabulous son: Gabe gets an extra special shout out because he worked so hard to learn how to speak.
98. My generous daughter: Calah teaches me how to be generous and giving. God Bless her!
99. People who read all of these lame things about me. :)
and finally...
100. Even when I am grumpy or sad, I can look on the positive side.: This blog is proof!
Finished: 9:33 pm----not bad, not bad. And I totally feel better about life!
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