Love In The Home

Love In The Home

If I live in a house of spotless beauty with everything in its place, but have not love, I am a housekeeper - not a homemaker.

If I have time for waxing, polishing, and decorative achievements, but have not love, my children learn cleanliness - not godliness.

Love leaves the dust in search of a child's laugh.

Love smiles at the tiny fingerprints on a newly cleaned window.

Love wipes away the tears before it wipes up the spilled milk.

Love picks up the child before it picks up the toys.

Love is present through the trials.

Love reprimands, reproves, and is responsive.

Love is the key that opens salvation's message to a child's heart.

Love crawls with the baby, walks with the toddler, runs with the child, then stands aside to let the youth walk into adulthood.

Before I became a mother I took glory in my house of perfection. Now I glory in God's perfection of my child. As a mother, there is much I must teach my child, but the greatest of all is love.

A Little Marilyn........

"I believe that everything happens for a reason. People change so that you can learn to let go. Thing's go wrong so that you can appreciate them when they're right. You believe lies so that you eventually learn to trust no one but yourself, and sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together." ~ Marilyn Monroe

Happy Halloween 2010

Had to share these pictures of my adorable bumble bee, handsome Tom Brady and.....my... Darth Vader (any idea who it is).

1st & 8th Grade

I am very delinquent in posting these pictures but thought that late is better than never. I can't believe that Lindsay started 1st Grade in late August and Ryan started 8th grade. I have no idea where the time is going.....

Traits of Successful People

History has shown, successful people, in all walks of life, share some common traits......

1. HOW YOU THINK IS EVERYTHING: Always be positive. Think success, not failure. Beware of a negative environment!
2. DECIDE UPON YOUR TRUE DREAMS AND GOALS: Write down your specific goals and develop a plan to reach them!
3. TAKE ACTION: Goals are nothing without action. Don't be afraid to get started. Just do it!
4. NEVER STOP LEARNING: Go back to school or read books Get training and acquire skills!
5. BE PERSISTENT AND WORK HARD: Success is a marathon, not a sprint. Never give up!
6. LEARN TO ANALYZE DETAILS: Get all the facts, all the input. Learn from your mistakes!
7. FOCUS YOUR TIME AND MONEY: Don't let other people or things distract you!
8. DON'T BE AFRAID TO INNOVATE; BE DIFFERENT: Following the herd is a sure way to mediocrity!
9. DEAL AND COMMUNICATE WITH PEOPLE EFFECTIVELY: No person is an island. Learn to understand and motivate others!
10. BE HOST AND DEPENDABLE; TAKE RESPONSIBILITY: Otherwise, 1-9 simply won't matter!

Vacation 2010

We just got home from a 5 day cruise out of Tampa to Grand Cayman Island and Cozumel as well as 3 days in Tampa at Busch Gardens! All four of us had a blast and want to return back to Busch Gardens someday.

Photo Sharing

Thought For The Day

Sometimes you have to give up good things in order to get even better things.

It's Time to Change

The night before I started my new job at Farmer Bros. Co., I came across this poem. The timing couldn't have been any better. I know that change is exciting, but the unknown can be frightening too. Familiar faces and things have a reassuring quality to them. Fear of the unknown can make even a good change a potential source of stress. The thing to do is to recognise that change is a fact of life, and to learn to look at change positively and constructively. Change happens. It's how you respond that matters. As with all things, the choice is up to me.

I step into the future
Don't know what's in store
I'll be walking new pathways
Learning more
Meeting new faces,
Making new friends,
The time has come to move on,
It's time to change.

It's hard to leave the things you know and understand
And set out on a journey on unfamiliar land
It's hard to leave old friends behind and walk away,
But the time has come to move on, it's time to change.

But my friends are a part of me,
A part of my personality,
Always there to guide me
Wherever I happen to be
The past leaves its mark on me,
And makes me the person I am
And the good things go with me
When it's time to change.

The seasons turn
And the years move on
Nothing ever stands still
Changing day by day,,,
Good wishes go with me
And speed me on towards the sun
The time has come to move on,
It's time to change.

The seasons turn, and the years move on,
Nothing ever stands still, changing day by day
Good wishes go with me
And speed me on towards the sun
The time has come to move on,.
It's time to change.

Change for the better?
Change for the worse?
Who can tell it better…
It's for me to make it work
The sun is up and shining
And there's a rainbow in the sky
I'm going to find my pot of gold,
It's time to change.
It's time to change, It's time to change,
The time has come to move on,
it's time to change.

The Prayer

The Canadian Tenors

Jewel - Satisfied - Official Video HD

To Ry & Lins

“Before you were conceived I wanted you. Before you were born I loved you. Before you were here an hour I would die for you. This is the miracle of love.”
-Maureen Hawkins

My Favorite Red Sox

Of Ryan's 8 years of playing baseball, he has never been on the Dodgers. I was thinking this was going to be the year but I was wrong again - he was drafted to the Boston Red Sox.

I have to say this is the best coached team he has been on with a great group of boys. They are 5-3 so far and improving with each game. They have come to rely on Ry in left field as well as his solid eye at the plate. Yesterday he had 3 walks, 2 stolen bases and 2 runs.

Never before would I ever had said that I enjoy rooting for the Sox but this year I love rooting for my #12 in his Red Sox uniform.

Go Ry!!

I Never Would Have Thought.....

One day a week in the morning I stop for Ryan to get a donut as a reward for his diligent scholastic efforts (I have to admit that I haven't given in to the urge even though they are screaming my name. We typically stop at the same donut shop but yesterday I thought I would mix things up and stop at Ralphs. Little did I know at the time that making this slight change in our routine would make for such an eventful day.

So, I parked my car by the side of Ralphs (there was not a soul or car in sight). We then proceeded into Ralphs where Ry picked out his donuts. I paid and we meandered out the door. As we turned the corner, I noticed a gray beat up older model Honda Civic parked very close to my car. In the driver's side was a woman and in the passenger's side was a male. As we continued to walk to our car, a female Hispanic and a male Hispanic got out of the Honda Civic car and were standing at the trunk of their car when I overheard the female say to the male "Get ready". The male then proceeded to get in the passenger's side of their car while the female made her way around the corner and into Ralphs. We got into our car and I immediately noticed several blankets in the back seat of their car. I took a casual glance at the male as he was sitting in the driver's seat and appeared to be very calm to me. All the while, Ry was happy as a clam as he had two donuts to enjoy. There was no way I was leaving at this point as this whole situation seemed very odd to me. I knew I had over 30 minutes to get Ryan to school so I thought it best for me to stay put and see what transpired. About two minutes later, I looked out my side mirror and I saw the Hispanic female walking towards our cars pushing a cart that was filled to the rim. All I could see was an orange color. The female pushed the cart to the passenger's side of her car and opened up the back door and quickly threw in 8 to 12 of the large Tide liquid detergent bottles and then put the blankets that had been in the back of the car over them. They were completely covered over. She then got into the passenger's side and put the seat completely back and proceeded to put a blanket over her. All of this occurred without her ever even taking one glance of me while I was watching the whole thing from my car. Ryan all the while was continuing to enjoy his donuts. By the way, he says the Ralphs chocolate bars are pretty good. The male driver then started up the car and drove parallel to the Denny's Restaurant and made a right onto Beach. As they were driving, I was able to memorize the license plate number. My mission then began. I had to remember this license plate number. I ran out of my car like a bat out of hell (that is how Ryan described it to me later) and into Ralphs for a pen to write the license plate number down. I know, I should have just typed it into my IPhone but my first instinct was to write it down so that is what I did. I then calmly asked the one and only cashier that was working if she had just sold 8-12 bottles of the large Tide detergent to a Hispanic female age 20-25. She said "Huh" like I was a crazy woman. The Merchandising Manager then came up to the front of the store to talk to me and as soon as I said "Tide" he said "Oh crap". Apparently he had seen the female in the detergent aisle where she informed him that she was buying them to donate. I bet that is the last time he falls for that line. You see, it was a completely easy exit as the detergent aisle is in direct line out of the store. From there, the Store Manager came up and I provided her some details from which she called the Police. Shortly after that, a detective called me for which I provided a statement. Today, another detective came to my office and got a few more details from me and showed me several pages of pictures. I was not able to identify the male as to be completely honest, I only looked at him twice (once when he was outside the car and once while he was sitting in their car). I do remember clearly that he was Hispanic, 20-25, approximately 5'11'', nice head of groomed black hair, mustache, no hat, no glasses, wearing jeans and a jacket, a decent looking guy that didn't scare me one bit - not the look that I would think would be part of this, didn't see any tattoos. I remembered the female very well. Very homely looking Hispanic gal, 20-25, short (5'2''), round face, no glasses, black hair was in a pony tail), no bangs wearing jeans and a jacket. I clearly recognized her as #6 on page 3 of the photos. I signed a few papers and walked the detective out of the building. As we were walking, the detective asked what I do for a living. I said "an investigator". He laughed and said, "I should have known". He then proceeded to inform me that I am the most detailed witness he has ever had and that I am not making this case any fun for him as I had given him all the details. You may be wondering what Ryan was up to after I ran into the store. Well, I didn't know at the time but he was also aware of what was going on. As soon as I ran into Ralphs, he was on my IPhone texting a friend of ours as to what was going including the license plate number and other items. I have to say, this is one adventure I will never forget. I asked Ry this morning if he was up for a donut run to Ralphs and he said "Not today Mom". My gut tells me that this is not the end of this adventure - only time will tell. I write this blog not because I am proud of it, actually I find it very sad, but because the detective suggested I do.

Love Is.......

Love is real, real is love
Love is feeling, feeling love
Love is wanting to be loved.

Love is touch, touch is love
Love is reaching, reaching love
Love is asking to be loved

Love is you
You and me
Love is knowing
You can be

Love is free, free is love
Love is living, living, living love
Love is needing to be loved.

Love is you
You and me
Love is wanting
To be free

Love is knowing
You will be.

To My Ry

The Big 13 - my guy is a teenager! How can that be? The time has passed so quickly and yet you have provided me with so many wonderful memories. I remember so clearly carrying you, wondering what you were going to look like, and delivering you. I remember holding you for the first time and never wanting to let go. I could go on and on and on forever. I always think that the year I am in with you is the best year but they just seem to get better and better with time.

Ry, I am so proud of you! You are such a terrific son and big brother. I love you.

I look to you with hope and pride;
I see your future brightly.
Your deep concerns and aspirations
I will not take lightly.

The future is a mystery
That everyone explores.
I'll share your possibilities,
Embrace your distant shores.

I'll answer you when questions stir,
Encourage you, implore you.
But life's a challenge shaped by dreams,
A gift I can't live for you.

So live it well; respect it fully;
Play your spirit out.
Seek and then discover
All the best that life's about.

Remember that you're not alone -
My love is always there.
The challenge that defines your life
My heart will gladly share.

You're on a voyage into time,
A trip to somewhere new.
You may not always see me there,
But I'll be there with you

One Friend

I have a very dear friend who is going through a lot right now and as I was driving home from work tonight this song came on by Dan Seals and I couldn't help but think of her:

One Friend

I always thought you were the best
I guess I always will
I always felt that we were blessed
And I feel that way still
Sometimes we took the hard road
But we always saw it through
If I had only one friend left
I'd want it to be you

Sometimes the world was on our side
Sometimes it wasn't fair
Sometimes it gave a helping hand
Sometimes we didn't care
'Cause when we were together
It made the dream come true
If I had only one friend left
I'd want it to be you

Someone who understands me
And knows me inside out
Helps keep me together
And believes without a doubt
That I could move a mountain
With someone to tell it to
If I had only one friend left
I'd want it to be you

Detours

You may take a different path than the one you envisioned, but the detours are worth it because you learn more from your failures than your successes.

What Is A "Good Mom"?

In late December I overheard a gal in the lunch room at work ask another gal sitting by her "What is a good mom"?. I have no clue why the question was asked but it has been resonating in me ever since and in early January I started to jot down a few ideas. I completed my thoughts and came up with the following:

* A good mom is someone who prepares her kids to do better than she did in the world - better in terms of achievement and in doing good. Showing them how to be self-sufficient, kind, being the best person they can be, and learning how to be happy. A good mom knows she is not responsible for her children's happiness.
* A good mom is someone who achieves what she would like to achieve. She is nurturing, present, willing to make compromises, loving. It doesn't take a lot of money to be a good mother. It takes loves and consistency, emotional connection, nurturing. A good mom gives her children support and love.
* A good mom is present, nurturing, supportive, in control, and reliable (she will be there when needed, no matter what). She teaches her children to be thoughtful and good people. She gives love freely, saying "I love you" a lot, no matter what. She holds her children accountable for their actions. She teaches them hard life lessons. She is always honest.
* A good mom is someone who knows how to and does help her kids become the best version of them. Teaching them values - shaping them, giving them values - making them good human beings.
* A good mom protects but doesn't overprotect her children. She is affectionate. She accompanies her child in his development. She allows her child to grow. She teaches by example. Gives love, security, and tranquility.
* A good mom is a person who understands the needs of her particular child. She is a safe ahven but not so overly protective that she gets in the way of her children experiencing life. She makes her children feel loved and protected. She acts as a role model for her children, showing them that life is full of possibilities.

Tips to Happiness

I completed reading "What Happy Working Mother Know" and came away with the following:
* Learn to love yourself as much as you love your friends and family.
* Life happens. What you choose to focus on becomes your experience. Focus on the positive.
* Learn to forgive yourself and others.
* Happiness comes from a full, balanced life that includes hard work, time with loved ones and friends, exercise, celebration, and even solitude. Skimp on any of the ingredients, and your recipe for happiness could fall flat.
* Half the battle in life is choosing something you love to do. The other half is celebrating your successes along the way.
* When you realize that you're not perfect and allow yourself a few mistakes, you'll go a long way toward being happy.
* Set the same standards for yourself that you apply to your loved ones; cut yourself the same slack you give others.
* Knowing when to say "no" and how to do it without feeling guilty increases life satisfaction, and therefore, happiness.
* You may take a different path from the one you envisioned, but the detours are worth it because you learn more from your failures than from your successes.
* Happiness begins whenyou learn to accept the fact that you're loved and valued for who you are, not what you do.

Half The Battle

Half the battle in life is choosing something you love to do. You need to have that sense of accomplishment in your heart and to serve people the way you would like to be served.
- Sharon Allen

Work is Meaningful When........

I pulled this from the latest book I am reading "What Happy Working Mothers Know" by Cathy L. Greenberg & Barrett S. Avigdor (it is a terrific book by the way......)

* It is inspiring.
* It is inclusive and involving.
* It provides opportunity to be creative.
* It requires learning and growing and is challenging.
* It connects to the "grand plan."
* It achieves/exceeds its goals.
* It provides enjoyable social/work interaction.
* It is motivating.
* There is prevalence of trust.
* There is no fear.

Happiness Tip

Happiness comes from a full, balanced life that includes hard work, time with loved one and friends, exercise, celebration, and even solitude. Skimp on any of the ingredients and your recipe falls flat.

"You Raise Me Up"

When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary;
When troubles come and my heart burdened be;
Then, I am still and wait here in the silence,
Until you come and sit awhile with me.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up... To more than I can be.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up... To more than I can be.

There is no life - no life without its hunger;
Each restless heart beats so imperfectly;
But when you come and I am filled with wonder,
Sometimes, I think I glimpse eternity.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up... To more than I can be.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up... To more than I can be.

You raise me up... To more than I can be.

Beauty

"One does not see anything until one sees its beauty."
- Oscar Wilde

One Word

Accomplish

accomplish [əˈkɒmplɪʃ əˈkʌm-]
vb (tr)
1. to manage to do; achieve
2. to conclude successfully; complete
[from Old French acomplir to complete, ultimately from Latin complēre to fill up. See complete]
accomplishable adj
accomplisher n

I have been thinking over the last couple of weeks what I would make my one word for the year. This word pretty much sums up all the things that I want to do. I am not just going to do things I am going to accomplish them meaning achieve, conquer, succeed, finish, to carry out and to follow through. I love that it is a verb meaning action. I have a desire to take action this year. Here are some of the things that I want to "ACCOMPLISH" this fine year of 2010 in no particular order.

More reading
Exercise, exercise, exercise
Continue blogging
Plant four rose bushes (1 for each of the family)
A family vacation
Connect with old and new friends
Have special alone time with Ryan each month
Horseback riding at least once
Smile more
Some sort of girls trip
A get away with the love of my life
Paint interior and exterior of house
Attend a concert
Being the best me
Do one nice thing for someone every day
Read with Lindsay regularly

December Recap

I can't hardly believe that December has come and gone and 2010 is here. I am actually really looking forward to 2010 and all that it will bring. I want to recap our December:
* Ryan, Lins and I enjoyed watching "The Glory of Christmas" at the beautiful Crystal Cathedral with my dear friend Michelle and her family. Michelle's mom had extra tickets and graciously invited us to join them. The angels suspended in the air and the live animals were amazing to watch.
* Lindsay dressed up as a precious angel at our church Christmas dinner and party and sang her heart out.
* Lindsay got to see and sit on Santa's lap not once, not twice but three times. She enjoyed talking with him each time.
* I attended Lindsay's school class Christmas Party where the audience was entertained with six different songs. My favorite by far was Silent Night where the children also did sign language throughout the whole song.
* Steve, Lins and I enjoyed Christmas tree light watching with good friend Brent and his kids Sydney, Ben and Will.
* Nonnie turned 94 on the 20th.
* Steve, Lins and I went to the Disney on Ice Show featuring Cars, Lion King, Little Mermaid and Tinkerbelle at the Honda Center. Lindsay didn't take her eyes off the ice the whole performance.
* Had friends Elliott and Kim over for a holiday dinner.