Here I am. One year older. I find I'm aging like my dad. My body does one thing -my mind does another. I was trying to think of something fun to post to Facebook today, but the more I thought the more I realized there wasn't something "short" to post.
As I turn 29...again...I wanted to throw out a few things for my younger friends and family. By "younger" I mean all of you. :)
First off - I've been telling people this for years, but age and weight are just numbers and they don't mean a thing unless you let them. Learn to love both sets of numbers regardless of what they are. The older I get the more I have to remind myself to be who I am...love WHAT I am. Some days are harder than others. My dad is well into his 60's but the man still acts like he is in his 20s. I want to be that way. I think I'm on the right track...after all chasing 3 kids does tend to keep a person young. And that weight thing- eh - as long as I'm healthy - I don't really care what the number is. Yes it sucks when my favorite jeans start to get a little tight, but I won't be the same size forever. Some people can be. Good for them.
I've stopped trying to be trendy. I go for fun and fit and frugal. I now take my measurements with me to garage sales so I can find stuff for myself AND my kids. I subscribe to a site called GwynnieBee where I can rent clothing each month. I get to try all kinds of fun stuff, wear it as many times as I want and send it back. No commitment unless I really love it- then I can buy it at a discount. I've learned what to look for in clothing and know how to dress my body. Yes, on occasion I still wear something I probably shouldn't...but at least it is a conscious decision to do so. I do admit to owning and wearing a pair of skinny jeans but that is only on certain days, with certain shoes and because I don't own leggings.
The older I get the less my body wants to cooperate. Today for my birthday my face decided to get me 2 new pimples and 4 new chin hairs. Wonderful. It is what it is and I deal and move on. I will try to age with grace and humility...key word is try. I've updated my skin care routine, remind myself to wear sunscreen and have learned how to really apply and wear makeup like a big girl. I will still color my gray hair away...I'm not ready to let that go...and I do not see that changing any time soon. But hair is hair- it will grow back and the color will return to "natural" no reason to be afraid to change things up every so often.
I am learning to deal with mommy guilt and taking time for me. I find myself feeling bad for going out with the girls on occasion but I try to silence that voice in my head by telling myself that even mommy needs a time out. I need to remind myself that my kids need an example of someone who pursues things she enjoys; who makes time for them and herself and is a better person because of it.
I'm learning that slowing down isn't such a bad thing. Yes I am contradicting myself a bit here. We are constantly on the go with various activities, but I can't remember the last time I partied it up at a bar. And I am ok with that. I find crowds annoying and drunk people rude (sometimes funny to watch) but I have zero ambition to get all dolled up to go hit the bar. I would rather watch a movie at home with the family, in our PJs and a massive bowl of popcorn that sit in the theater. Don't get me wrong- the older I get the more I love getting dressed up - but I do it for events, not the bar.
Pick your friends wisely. I can honestly say I have enough close, good friends to fill one hand...and I am ok with that. I have friends that I chat with online or via email and haven't seen in years. Are they less of a friend, heck no! But I also have let people fade from my life with zero regret. It took a bit to get to that point, but God brought them into my life for a reason. They fulfilled that reason and now have faded out. Time to move on.
I am done letting fear impact my decisions. I love my family and my life but there are some times I wonder if I hadn't been so afraid of something years ago, what could have happened. Over the last year I stopped being afraid. I tried out to be a cover model/runway model - I tossed fear aside and said "who cares if you are too old or not the right size -do it anyway." Best decision ever! I have new friends and a few new experiences because of it!
I am by no means experienced or wise beyond my years but I am also not a spring chicken. I've been around the block more times than I care to count. I'm going into this next year with a better understanding of who I am as a person, a wife, a mother, a friend and all of the other titles I have acquired my many years on this earth. Keep checking back for updates to our family's adventures. Now if you will excuse me, I think there is a movie we need to watch.
Wednesday, June 17, 2015
Monday, March 9, 2015
I saw God today.
Yesterday. I went to church. Don't get me wrong - that isn't something horribly unusual. This time of year the choir I am in sings more often, thus requiring my attendance. Most Sundays I have anywhere from 1 to all 3 children with me, but yesterday was different. I went by myself. I sat with the choir the entire time and was able to really sit, listen and enjoy the service. Then it happened.
First let me explain my love for our church. It can be broken into 3 categories- 1. The people, 2. The opportunities for fellowship and 3. The preaching. Yes. I said it- I go to a church because I enjoy the sermons. Yesterday was no exception. If you ever want to hear the sermons for yourself - you can check out the Calvary website - in fact here is the link directly to the sermon page.
Awesome Sermons at Calvary
Back to the story at hand. While listening to the sermon- I was hearing about how Jesus went into the temple and cast out the money changers and the people selling animals. He was trying to change the way of thinking; telling people that they didn't have to go to the temple to be with God- God was always with them. For us, this makes complete sense because this is how we are brought up (at least how I was brought up.) Then toward the end of the sermon the pastor quoted George Strait. He quoted the song "I Saw God Today". The song talks about how you can see God all around you all you have to do is look. That was the "duh" moment of the day.
After church I decided to do my own lesson for Sunday school. Instead of doing the rotation - we took the lesson from church and really dug into it. It has been hard to keep 5th graders focused all year, but yesterday was a little different. In fact- I asked 3 different times if what we were talking about made real sense and for once, they said yes. I was stunned. Were they lying to me- probably - but it was the first time we had real interaction in class that didn't involve some non-church topic.
On my way home I decided to try and really look for God. And I found him. I found her at the gas station, I found him in the smile of my husband and kids, I found her in the melting snow at our house. He really was all around me. I also decided that I needed to do this more often. I need to really look for God every day, not just on days I get the proverbial hand to the back of the head. So- I am challenging myself and YOU to try and find God today, tomorrow and the next day. You never know where you will find God. :)
First let me explain my love for our church. It can be broken into 3 categories- 1. The people, 2. The opportunities for fellowship and 3. The preaching. Yes. I said it- I go to a church because I enjoy the sermons. Yesterday was no exception. If you ever want to hear the sermons for yourself - you can check out the Calvary website - in fact here is the link directly to the sermon page.
Awesome Sermons at Calvary
Back to the story at hand. While listening to the sermon- I was hearing about how Jesus went into the temple and cast out the money changers and the people selling animals. He was trying to change the way of thinking; telling people that they didn't have to go to the temple to be with God- God was always with them. For us, this makes complete sense because this is how we are brought up (at least how I was brought up.) Then toward the end of the sermon the pastor quoted George Strait. He quoted the song "I Saw God Today". The song talks about how you can see God all around you all you have to do is look. That was the "duh" moment of the day.
After church I decided to do my own lesson for Sunday school. Instead of doing the rotation - we took the lesson from church and really dug into it. It has been hard to keep 5th graders focused all year, but yesterday was a little different. In fact- I asked 3 different times if what we were talking about made real sense and for once, they said yes. I was stunned. Were they lying to me- probably - but it was the first time we had real interaction in class that didn't involve some non-church topic.
On my way home I decided to try and really look for God. And I found him. I found her at the gas station, I found him in the smile of my husband and kids, I found her in the melting snow at our house. He really was all around me. I also decided that I needed to do this more often. I need to really look for God every day, not just on days I get the proverbial hand to the back of the head. So- I am challenging myself and YOU to try and find God today, tomorrow and the next day. You never know where you will find God. :)
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