Can You Make the Cut?

***If you have just started reading my blog, may I suggest that you read my past 2 blog posts? The train of thought I am on is not actually about gemstones, but something much deeper.***

As I continue my thoughts on "The 4 C's" (please see earlier postings), I find myself on "Cut". Gemstones are cut to enhance their beauty and overall “sparkle”. There are many cuts, or shapes, of gemstones; round (also called brilliant), princess, marquis, pear shaped, trillion, or even heart shaped.

The picture on this post shows a raw or uncut diamond. Diamonds in this state have value, but not as much as a cut diamond. Why? To cut the diamond makes it smaller, yet it still adds value? Isn't "bigger, better"?  Many men view the size of the diamond they buy as a direct connection to the size or quality of their love.  Many women accept that view too. But is bigger always better?  

As facets are cut into a gemstone, they allow the true beauty and color of the gemstone to show. The artistry and precision of the gem-cutter reveals a veritable rainbow in each and every facet.  What once looked like a pretty piece of crystal, now becomes an ever-lasting symbol of love between a man and a woman.  And it's pretty too.  ;)  It is important to note that cutting a raw diamond is risky. What if the gem-cutter makes the cut too deep or too shallow? What if the gem-cutter makes a cut in the wrong place?  If any of these things happen, it will significantly affect the value of the gem.  

As I look at my life, I am like the raw diamond. I know there are things that I must cut out of my life - negativity, fear of the future, insecurities, people who have hurt me, as well as many other things—things that I have become comfortable with. Allowing these things to be cut out of my life is risky.  It will change who I am.  It will significantly change my overall value.  What if The Gem-Cutter makes a cut in the wrong place or makes a cut too deep or too shallow?  If I allow myself to trust my Gem-Cutter, I trust that every cut He makes adds a new facet to my life that contributes to my overall “sparkle”. I trust my Gem-Cutter to guide me in making the cuts that will allow my true beauty and color to show, do you?

Let Me Be Clear...

***If you have just started reading my blog, I am in a series called "The 4 C's".  This is my second post.  If you're interested, please see the previous post.  Also, this shows the science-nerd in me...but it's not really about science.  Read the post to the end to see what I mean.***

Any girl who has looked at engagement rings (or loves some "sparkle" in her life) has been educated on "The 4 C's" of a diamond:  Color, Cut, Clarity, and Carat.  Over the next few days/weeks (depending on life), I will be reflecting on how each of these 4 areas relate to me and the facets of my life (and maybe you too...)

Today, I will discuss Color.  When speaking of diamonds, the more colorless a diamond is, the more valuable it is.  The GIA has developed a scale that rates a diamond between a D-Z.  A "D" rating is colorless, or the best.  As I look at the facets of my life, I have to ask myself if I have a "D" rating.  Do I allow unwholesome things to add impurities to who I am and thus affect my "sparkle"?  What kinds of things have the potential to add impurities to the gem God has created me to be?  What kinds of things look like specks of carbon in the diamond that is my life?  Allowing my past to control my present and my future, my ever-present weaknesses, allowing the opinions of others to shape me, the things I allow myself to listen to and watch, and the list could go on and on.  There are so many things that can add impurities to my life.

But here's the thing:  I can control these things.  I can choose to allow my past to be an impurity, or I can allow God's forgiveness to erase that speck of carbon in the diamond of my life.  I can allow the opinions of others to add specks of carbon to who I am, or I can allow God's view of my soul to clearly define me.  Again...the list could go on and on...

I am very clearly (pardon the pun), not colorless.  I have many faults and specks of carbon in the diamond that is my life.  How can I still shine?  Proverbs 27:19 says, "As water reflects the face, so one's life reflects the heart."  I examine the way I live my life, and thus, my heart.  I know I will never be perfect, but I strive to keep my heart in a place to reflect Christ.  

So how do I shine?  The answer is simple.  I don't.  Just like a diamond does not have a source of light and cannot shine until light is directed through it, I don't shine unless I allow Christ to be my source of light and allow HIM to shine through me.  

How do you shine?

A Girl's Best Friend

***The train of thought I'm on is not actually about coal or gemstones, but something much deeper.  So if you're not into science or geology, bear with me and read through to the end.  ***

***WARNING*** The “geology geek” in me is about to peek out a smidgen, but PLEASE endure and read my post…I hope that it will challenge and encourage you!

Did you know that coal and diamonds are made of the same thing? Carbon. The black lumps that we threaten to give naughty children at Christmas and the sparkly gems that women yearn for and men go broke over are both carbon. What’s the difference? Well...to avoid a lot of science-y jargon, it comes down to 2 things:  1)  The chemical structure and 2) Where they are formed. If carbon finds itself (approximately) 80 miles below the surface of the earth, it can become diamond. What are the catalysts for change? Heat and Pressure. The heat comes from the Earth’s core, while the pressure comes from the 80 miles of earth + gravity pressing down on it.

Coal + 80 (or more) miles below the surface + heat + pressure + time (lots) = DIAMOND (ta-da!)

With all of my faults, I can so very easily relate to the coal. I can see others, who are “made of the same stuff” I am, but they sparkle and shine. What’s the difference? How can I transform from the lump of coal I feel that I am, into the gem I'm created to be? Heat and Pressure. Just like a lump of coal requires heat and pressure to transform it into a valuable diamond, my life requires heat and pressure to refine me.

When “the heat is on” can I make the right choices in difficult situations? Can I change the channel when there are compromising things on TV?  Can I zip my lips when I want to give someone a good tongue-lashing?  Can I make the right choices in the privacy of my personal thoughts?

And when the pressures of the world are weighing me down, I have to be strong enough to withstand the elements to become the gem I was created to be. I have to be able to look away from worldly criticism and believe in who God has created me to be.  It isn’t easy, but I have faith that the result will be worth the wait and prove much more valuable in the end.

II Corinthians 5:17 -- Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has gone! The new has come.  -- Be the diamond you were created to be and SHINE!

Stay tuned as I continue this series on diamonds and explore the 4 C's...it's not just a geology lesson.  It's a geology lesson with spiritual implications...coming soon...

Throw-Up

Throw-Up.

It's nasty.  No one likes to do it.  It leaves a bad taste in your mouth.

Our words can be like throw-up. 

If you let all of your bad thoughts, feelings, and ideas build up inside of you, they WILL eventually come out. You may find yourself suddenly spewing out all of those negative thoughts, feelings, and ideas that you've been holding in-- it may be directed at your spouse, your kids, your co-workers, or your friends.  When it's all over, you'll probably feel better, but that person you love is standing there, covered in your verbal throw-up.  Not a pretty picture.

I think we've all found ourselves ready to verbally puke all over someone.  And the thing is, the "someone" you just vomited all over probably isn't even the person who's been upsetting you...most likely, they just happened to "be there".

Do you have an outlet for your feelings so you don't find yourself in this situation?

Here are some of the things that work for me:

1.  Prayer- I know...so cliche!  But sometimes just a quick, "Lord, help me control my mouth!" does wonders!

2.  Removing myself from the stressful situation.  Sometimes I just have to mentally tell myself, "Walk away.  Don't do it."

3.  Retail Therapy.  Laugh if you want, but it works for me!  Maybe it's because it's something I truly enjoy, so it helps neutralize the negative thoughts running rampantly through my brain.  For you it may be crafting, playing an instrument, reading, etc.  The point is to find something that you enjoy doing and can give you some peaceful time alone.

4.  Talk to someone.  Sometimes you just have to talk to someone completely outside of the situation.  They (hopefully) can help you see the situation from other points of view and talk you through it.  For me, this is often my mom, sister, and a few other friends in Albuquerque.  They live 1/2 way across the country and are usually not the source of my angst, so I feel that I can be completely honest since they aren't directly involved in any of the situations I'm dealing with.  (P.S. "Angst" is a fun word to say, which is weird, because "angst" implies that something is not fun.  Sorry...off the subject.)

5.  Talk to someone.  I know I just said the same thing in #4, but this time, I mean talk to the person you are having an issue with.  But I attach a warning to this.  Only go this route if you are truly and sincerely trying to mend what is broken, otherwise, you'll end up verbally puking all over them and that will only make matters worse.  And if you try to do the right thing and the other person won't hear you out, look again at #1 and #2 and read #6 and #7 below!

6.  Take a deep, cleansing breath.  I know it sounds ridiculously simple, but it can give you just enough time to calm your thoughts.

7.  Bite your tongue.  Literally.  Sometimes, when I'm really upset and want to verbally vomit all over someone, I literally have to bite my tongue so I don't say something I'll regret later.  This happens all too often.  Note to self:  I should probably invest in Orajel.

These are not, by any means, "THE answer" to stopping verbal diarrhea, but it's a start.  The point is to find what works for you.

A silly example of this from the movie Puss In Boots is when Humpty Dumpty says, "Little Boy Blue, remember: When you feel like you're going to blow your top, blow your horn instead."

Psalm 19:14 says, "May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing to you, Oh Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer." -- If you've meditated on it in your heart, it's going to come out in your words.

Find a Godly, healthy, and constructive way to handle it.

What do you do when you feel like you're going to blow your top?

Doors

This week I was reading Genesis.  In chapter 4, Cain and Abel both present their sacrifices to the Lord.  Cain brings an offering from his work in the fields.  Abel brings the first and best of his flocks.  God accepts Abel's offering but denies Cain's.  Cain becomes angry.

In verse 7, it says, "If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up?  And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door and its desire is for you, but you must master it."

Crouching.  When I read that word, I remember being a kid and crouching down to hide from the neighborhood kids during a water gun war.  Or I think of a lion crouching down in the tall brittle grasses of a savanna, waiting for just the right moment to pounce on its prey.  To me, the word "crouching" is a sneaky word.

Genesis 4:7 says that "if you do not do well, sin is crouching at your door and its desire is for you..."

Did you read that?  It's easy to do the right thing when everything is going well.  But when things in life are not going as planned, sin is like a lion crouching in your tall brittle thoughts, waiting for just the right moment to pounce on you.  It desires you.

In my lifetime, I must've read Genesis 4 at least 25 times.  But this time when I read it, the word "door" stood out to me, and I immediately thought of another verse that talks about a door.

Revelation 3:20 - "Here I am!  I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me."   

I was immediately struck with the difference between these 2 situations involving a door.  These 2 situations involving my heart.  (***Yes.  In case you missed it, the word "door" in these 2 verses is talking about your heart.***)

When things don't go my way, sin is sneakily crouching near my door just waiting for a weakness to slip in when I'm distracted by my selfishness.  

But not Jesus.  Do you see the difference?  Jesus stands BOLDLY at the door of my heart and knocks.  And when I open it, He not only comes in; He shares nourishment with me. ("I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.")  It's like when you're expecting company.  You clean your house, prepare a meal, and wait anxiously for them to come so you can open your front door and welcome them in.  

It all comes down to your door.  Are you hiding behind it while sin is crouching outside waiting for a weakness?  Or are you there anticipating Jesus' BOLD knock and ready to invite him in for nourishment?  

Words.

2 Sundays ago was Easter.  My pastor preached a message using Luke 24:5.  This verse says, "In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, 'Why do you look for the living among the dead?'" (Very appropriate for Easter.)  In this verse, the angel of the Lord is asking these women why they are looking for Jesus (who was alive) in a tomb (where the dead lay).

It got me thinking...how often do I do that:  Look for the living among the dead...to look for encouragement, hope, peace or comfort among people who are dead inside.

It's so easy for me (or any of us for that matter) to dwell on the negative, the bad stuff, to sensationalize things, to think of all the what-could-have-beens.  We get in our little groups and (let's just call it what it is) gossip about the latest dirt.  How does this help anything?  When we do that, are we really looking for anwers, comfort, or peace?  Or are we speaking death?  Proverbs 18:21 says, "The tongue has the power of life and death."  Are we seeking the living (words that bring life) among the dead (people whose words bring death)?

PLEASE don't get me wrong.  I'm NOT saying that every time a group of people get together and talk about issues that it's gossip.  I understand that many conversations about difficult events/topics are based on people seeking life-giving words; words of encouragement, words of affirmation, words of peace, and can help bring closure.  These kinds of conversations are what true friends use to encourage and help one another.

My prayer is that when difficult circumstances arise, that I would not "seek the living among the dead"- that I would not look for encouragement where I know I will find unGodly talk - and that my words would be a source of life. 

I have to constantly re-evaluate myself so that when difficult times arise and I am approached about it, I must be deliberate in speaking words of life. Otherwise, my mouth is a tomb that ensnares all who would speak with me.

God help us all.

Important vs. Necessary

I've found myself thinking about what's really Important in life versus what is Necessary in life.  It's a complicated business trying to sort those 2 things out.  Interestingly enough, the same 4 things made the Top 4 of my 2 lists; Important vs. Necessary.

Faith, Family, Fun, and Finances are on the top of my list for both and in the same order for both lists.  So I guess the lists could have been combined into 1 list:  Important and Necessary.

My Faith is what drives me each day.  It's what gives me breath each day to keep doing what I do.  It is what lifts my heart when I feel like I can't go on.

My Family is my heart.  They are why I do the hard things in life.  I love them in such a deep way that I can't even begin to explain it in words.  Because no matter what, I will contibute and provide for them in every area - spiritually, emotionally, physically, and financially.

Fun.  What is life without some a lot of fun woven throughout?  It's my family's favorite thing = Fun!

Finances...although a dirty business to talk about; finances are both important and necessary.  However, that being said, I also am learning that they are often the driving force of life choices, instead of what I feel peace in my heart about, the state of my family, and the fun we're able to have together.

So, my 2 lists: Important vs. Necessary came out the same.  And they look like respectable lists.  I like those lists.  They sit well with my morals, standards, and the feel-good-what-I-want-to-hear part of myself.  But then I challenged myself to make a 3rd list called: In Real Life.

That list came out like this:

Finances, Family, Fun & Faith (tie for 3rd). 

Hmm.  Not where I want to be.

To be honest, I'm not really sure how to change this yet.  I know that finances (aka: my job), should not be the driving force of my life, but reality says that it is.  I'm not the type to rationalize a situation when it isn't what I know it should be.  I try to take an honest approach and look at life the way it is vs. the way it should be.  Then I must decide.

It's time to sit back and re-evaluate things because (obviously) my Reality is far different than what is Important and Necessary. 

So, I don't have any answers right now, except to say that I must be more intentional about what I'm focusing on in life.

What about you?  How do you keep the Important and Necessary balanced with Reality?

Talk To Your Kids!

I have 3 kids.  I am also a teacher and a principal.  I talk to kids quite often.  This, by no means, makes me an expert, but I've learned a lot in this area.  Here are my tips for talking to kids:

1.  Be Honest.  Tell your kids the truth--even if it hurts.  The dog didn't go to a farm, he passed away.  What a great opportunity to talk your child through the mourning process-- It's ok to be sad.  It's ok to cry--Cry together.  Let's remember the good things about the dog.  What was your favorite thing about him?  This doesn't mean that when they ask certain questions they need to know EVERYTHING.  They need to know enough to answer their age-appropriate question.  When my almost-4-year-old daughter asks me where babies come from, the answer I give her is much different than the answer I give my almost-10-year-old son. 

2.  Appreciate Your Child's Good Behavior.  It's so easy to always point out  the things our kids are doing wrong.  "Don't bug your sister."  "Stop running around the house."  "Your homework looks really sloppy."  "Why are you poking the dog?"  What about encouraging them for things they do well?  "Thank-you for coming to the table when I called you for dinner."  "I appreciate the way you walked so nicely with me in the store."  "Thank-you for waiting to ask your question while I was on the phone."  Positive Reinforcement.

3.  Don't Be Afraid To Use The Words "Don't", "Stop", and "No".  I know this seems like a contradiction to my point above, but it's not.  It's good to appreciate when our kids do things well, but sometimes you just have to tell them "No."  (Please pause with me as I step on my soapbox.)  Too may kids have problems today because no one will tell them "No".  What's so wrong with telling a child "No" anyways?  In the real world, you're told "No" quite often.  Can I skip work because I don't feel like going?  No.  Can I steal a CD because I don't have the money for it?  No.  Can I just turn in my homework a day late because I was really busy this weekend?  No.  Teach your kids responsibility and the power of "Don't", "Stop", and "No". 

4.  Teach Manners.  I know that "kids are kids", but they should still learn manners.  Teach your kids to say "Please" and "Thank-you", to call adults by Mr. or Mrs., to eat with their mouths closed and with eating utensils, to wait their turn to speak in a conversation.  There are so many more, but you get the point. 

5.  Let Them Be Themselves.  Each of your children are unique.  Let them be.  My 3 kids are SO different from each other, and that's ok.  Boy 1 is analytical, sensitive, his favorite subject is math, and he loves video games.  Boy 2 is silly, loves to play rough, his favorite subjects are lunch & recess, and has an amazing imagination.  The Girl is a princess in her own mind, loves lipgloss, to get her hair curled, and going shopping with Mom.  I can see parts of me in each of my kids, and it's ok that they aren't "cookie-cutter" style...in fact, I love it that they're not.

6.  Be Silly Together.  Oh my!  If there's one thing our family is good at, it's being silly together.  We laugh and joke all the time.  We learn how to deal with our mistakes, and laugh at them later.  We make silly faces, make up silly songs, and play silly games.  Laughter is a key point in our family.  Learn how to laugh together.

7.  Pray For Each Other.  Every night, my husband and I take time to pray with our kids...and often, they pray for us in return.  These are usually the most precious and powerful moments of my day.

8.  Teach Your Kids About Money. It doesn't grow on trees.  It's earned by hard work, dedication, taking initiative, and doing the right thing.  It amazes me to see how many kids have no concept of how to handle money.  This up-coming generation feels entitled to things just because they want them, not because they've worked for them.    When I was growing up, I was taught that life costs money.  I received an allowance but was expected to help around the house and to be aware that my inconsideration costs money.  I can vividly remember (on several occasions), leaving my bedroom light on when I wasn't in there.  My dad would call me from his desk, "Erin.  You left the light on in your bedroom."  He would pull out his yellow ledger book, open to a page with my name on it, write the date, and under my weekly allowance column, he would write -25 cents.  I just lost 25 cents of my allowance.  I also remember my parents saving for YEARS so we could take a vacation to Disney World.  I NEVER heard the words, "Let's go on vacation.  We can just put it all on the credit card."  Teach your kids that life isn't free, but if you're willing to work hard and be smart, you can sucessfully manage your money. 

For those of you who know me personally, I know that my kids aren't perfect and don't do all of the things I mentioned above.  I am in no way trying to put my family on a pedestal...just sharing what we try to do at home (emphasis on "try").  I hope some of you find it helpful!  :)

MLK Jr. Day

Yesterday was MLK Jr. Day, and that means I had the day off to spend with my family. We had some super-fun plans, but life happens, so this was how I spent my afternoon:

Boy #1 with what turned out to be a (thankfully) not-broken foot.

In other news, we asked Boy #2 (a1st grader) if he knew why we celebrated MLK Jr. Day. "He made things more fair between people with peach skin and people with brown skin."

And that, folks, in a nutshell was my MLK Jr. Day.

Dear 2013

Dear 2013,

I'm sure lots of people have been making you promises they can't (?) keep.  I'm not here to do that.  As of right now, you're a crisp, clean, new sheet of paper for each and every person.  You have no scribbles, crossed out covenants, eraser marks, or bent corners.  I won't fill you with meaningless words.  I won't crumple you up and toss you out without giving you a chance.  But rest assured, I will make my mark on you. 

How?  I'm not sure yet.  Maybe you will be my parchment for a beautifully lived sonnet that re-kindles my passions in life.  Maybe I will make you into a paper airplane and travel to new destinations in life and reach new heights.  Maybe you will be a canvas where I will express the many colors that are Me. 

In the end, I have no doubt that you will have scribbles, crossed out covenants, eraser marks, or bent corners.  But they will be valuable because I made them, and I learned from them. 

Here's to you, 2013.  The possiblilites are endless, so let's see what I can make with you.

CHRISTmas 2012

Wow...I haven't blogged in a long time.  Sorry.  Life has been extremely busy! 

We decided to do things a little differently this year.  Since Christmas fell on a Tuesday, and The Hubby and I had to be back to work on Thursday, we decided to open presents on Saturday (the 22nd).  This way, the kids got to spend more time enjoying their gifts before having to go back to child care during the break.  Here's our Christmas in pictures (I chose the top 10 memories in pictures):

1. All Ready:

2.  The Anticipation:

3.  Smile before you can open your presents:

4.  Ok, one silly one:

5.  The Wreckage:

6.  Christmas Service (with The Hubby leading the singing):

7.  Making Christmas cookies:

8.  Making Gingerbread Houses:

9.  Making "Crystal Christmas Trees" (Dollar Tree, my friends!)

 

10.  And last but not least, Christmas Dinner:

 

Sometimes it's hard living so far away from our extended family, but we're grateful for each other and our friends-that-are-family here in NM.  We were able to spend a lot of quality time together making memories that will last forever.  I hope you all had a wonderful and blessed CHRISTmas!

Wanted: A Hobby

Often, I find myself wishing I had a hobby - something fun that takes up my free time and that I enjoy doing.  I've tried sewing, but got frustrated and traded my machine to a friend for babysitting.  (Oh, yes I did!)  I cook and bake, but not enough or "fancy enough" to call it a true hobby.  I like to decorate my house/rooms in my house, but that costs money, and to be honest, I only decorate every once in awhile.  Who has time and money to decorate and re-decorate their house over and over?  I blog here, but (obviously), not enough that it's a true hobby.  I love to shop and find good deals, but I'm not sure that counts as a "hobby". 

And to be quite honest, I don't have a whole lot of free time, and the time I do have, I spend with my husband and kids.

After mulling this over for the last few weeks, I decided that my hobby is my husband and kids...they are "the fun that takes up my free time".

And I'm good with that.

Thanksliving

Thanksliving...not a typo.  I know that Thanksgiving is the time of year that we all focus on being thankful.  And while that's a wonderful thing to do, I am challenging myself to be thankful as often as possible - to live a thankful life = thanksliving. 

So what is "Thanksliving"?  For me, it's taking time to be thankful for the little things and the big things.  It's choosing to focus on what is good and not what is bad (which is my habit).  I am being challenged by this verse:

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NAS) in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus

Giving thanks in "everything" is not for the faint of heart.  This is a challenge - to be thankful in good times and bad = everything. 

We recently had to get our mini van fixed (yes, I'm a mini-van-mom).  It was still under warranty, but we were required to pay $100.  My first reaction was to be irritated, upset, and negative.  Thoughts such as, "If this is under warranty, why am I paying for it?" and "That's ridiculous!  I'm not paying a dime!" ran through my head...until I stopped myself.  Couldn't I just be thankful that I'm only having to pay $100 vs. over $1,000 worth of work that needed to be done?  And couldn't I just be thankful that we had the $100 to pay it, even if we were scraping the bottom of the barrel?  It wasn't easy for me, but I chose thanksliving.  To live out thankfulness in my actions...to be thankful we even have a vehicle, to be thankful that we were able to get it fixed, to be thankful that we could pay the $100...

AND GUESS WHAT???   My husband and I received a $100 bill from someone in our church the same day we went to pick up the van. 

I truly believe that God blesses us when we live out our thanks!  Take the Thanksliving challenge with me and see what happens!

Why not? My Election Soapbox.

Obama. Romney. Biden. Ryan. Democrat. Republican. Libertarian. Green. I agree.  I don't agree.  I'm not sure.  Pro-life.  Pro-choice.  ObamaCare.  No to ObamaCare.  Crumbling Economy.  Improving Economy.  Taxes.  More taxes.  Money. Money. Money.

These are just a smidgen of the thoughts that are bombarding us today.  And since politicians are using their soapboxes, just this once, so will I.  I'm not a "stand-on-my-soapbox-and-scream-until-I'm-heard" kind of girl, but I am going to take a small step onto my soapbox today.

I'm not going to get into the whole issue of parties, platforms, or politics.  But I AM going to say:  IF YOU ARE OF AGE, GO VOTE!  This is a much-coveted freedom that many in the world do not have, and many Americans are so apathetic, indifferent, or undisciplined that they will not exercise this freedom, this right. 

It's sad to say that we live in a country where if you don't completely agree with any candidate, you simply don't vote.  When my husband and I were buying a house, I'll admit, we were pretty picky.  Finally, our realtor told us that it's very unusual to find EVERYTHING, 100% the way you want it.  She told us to find a house we could live with (and in), to hold on to our "must-haves" and be willing to compromise in other areas.  If we weren't able to see it that way, we would still be living in a place we were un-happy in.  I apply this same logic to my voting.  I'm not going to 100% agree with anyone.  I have to look at which candidate I could "live with" being in the White House.

I will also give fair warning: If you are able to vote and choose not to, please do not bombard me with your complaints, negativity, and/or propaganda.  I understand that it's your right (freedom of speech), but this is my request.  You had your chance to let your voice be heard.  You didn't.  Your choice, I  get it.  But it's somewhat ironic that the people you choose not to vote for are the ones upholding your right to "not vote".

Stepping down from the soapbox now.

Halloween Fun 2012

Boy #1:  Hawkeye from The Avengers

Boy #2:  Gynka from Beyblade

The Girl:  Minnie Mouse

Cleaning out our Pumpkins:

Boy 1 had fun!



Boy 2 thought it was funny for some reason... :)  He's just silly that way!

The Girl kept saying, "Ewwww!  This is disgusting!"

The Final Results:

And my favorite part...roasting up the seeds!!!

By the end of all of our events, even the dogs were tired:

 It was a GREAT day!!!



Glowdeo

What's that you say?  You've never heard of a Glowdeo?  Well, my friend, you are missing out!

Glowdeo's are the evening events here in Albuquerque during Balloon Fiesta.  The hot air balloons all inflate, but they stay on the ground and "show their colors".  The night we went started out really windy.  We were SO disappointed, as this was the 2nd time we had attended a Balloon Fiesta event (this year), and the first one we went to was cancelled due to weather.  As sunset approached, the winds started to die down, but none of the balloonists were unloading their gondolas or balloons.  We were pretty bummed.  Then, finally, one balloon team got brave.  Here is the first lone, brave balloon to inflate:

We were exited, but didn't want to get our hopes up since we still weren't sure on the weather situation.

Then, just at dusk, it happened.  More balloons started going up.

By the time dark came, we were like kids at a party with larger-than-life party balloons!

Then, the countdowns began over the loudspeaker...

10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1...NOW!  ...And instantaneously, all the balloons light up!

I'm tellin' ya...if you've never been to Balloon Fiesta, you MUST add it to your "Bucket List".  There's nothing else like it!

 

Not According To Plan...

Well, my friends...we had QUITE the eventful and uneventful weekend, all at the same time! 

Our plan was to:
1.  Wake up before the crack of dawn to go to Balloon Fiesta. (check)
2.  Get a good parking spot and get to a good sopt on the field (check)
3.  Watch in awe all of the magnificent hot air balloons going up all around us.  (non-check, as the weather was too windy for any of the balloons to go up.)  BOO!  We got up for nothing really.
4.  *Un-expected*:  Boy 1 and I were on the news. :)  We stood behind the channel 4 weather man, Steve Stucker, while he gave one of his reports.  We even got texts from friends who saw us! :)

IN OTHER NEWS...

We had to get rid of our cat, Zeke.  We've had him for over 13 years, but for family reasons, we just couldn't keep him anymore.  Even though he's "just a cat", pets (even obnoxious ones), become part of the family.  He was my companion in college when Darrin was working or was away for long periods of time with the National Guard.  He will be missed. 

We had always told the kids that if Zeke died or we got rid of  him, we would consider getting another dog.  SO...We now have "Gizmo" with us.  If it all works out, we will keep him.  We still have McGee (pictured above with Zeke).  McGee is HYPER, to say the least.  He's jumpy, loves to run around, and will play with the kids for hours on end...and we LOVE him!  Gizmo, on the other hand, is pretty much the polar opposite of McGee.  He's calm, loves to snuggle up next to me, and is content to just follow me around the house as I do "regular stuff".  Here's a picture of Gizmo:

I think he looks like an Ewok. :)

So, as far as the weekend is concerned...things didn't go according to plan, but it was still GREAT!  We will try Balloon Fiesta again this weekend.  Hopefully the weather cooperates!

What did you do this weekend?

Hot Air

YAY!!!  It's "That Time" of year again...Balloon Fiesta!  If you don't know what Balloon Fiesta is, you're missing out!  It's the largest hot air balloon gathering in the world, and it's hosted right here in Albuquerque!  We usually have 600-800 hot air balloons attend this event. 

We're going tomorrow morning, not-so-bright and early.  We usually leave the house around 4:30 am so we can see dawn patrol which looks something like this (picture taken last year):

The trucks with the gondolas and balloons roll onto the giant field at Balloon Fiesta Park and begin unrolling the balloons and filling them with air from giant fans.  You can literally be right next to the balloons like Boy 1, Boy 2, and I last year:

It is truly magnificent to see hundreds and hundreds of balloons launching one after another after another...

If you've never been, ADD IT TO YOUR BUCKET LIST!

Later this weekend, I'll be posting TONS of pictures from tomorrow's fun!!!

Hoarding

Have you ever seen the show "Hoarders"?  It's a show about people who save EVERYTHING, and I mean EVERYTHING.  They have no room in their homes because it's so packed with junk that they think is important.  Often, because of their hoarding, they don't have any more livable space in their home. And the thing is, they've become so accustomed to the clutter, they don't even notice it.  In fact, they value it.

I don't often watch this show because, quite frankly, it grosses me out.

I recently cleaned out my dresser and closet.  There were some great items of clothing that I love, but for one reason or another, I don't wear them anymore, so they have become "closet clutter".  I used my trusty old slogan, "When in doubt, do without" and went to work weeding out clothes I don't wear.  It was time to get rid of the stuff I don't need anymore.

I started thinking about life and how I'm pretty sure that I hoard old feelings, old memories, negative thoughts, etc. and how "cluttered" my heart must be.  And just like the houses on the show "Hoarders" grosses me out, it is quite possible that I have trash in my heart that should gross me out too.  Is there any more livable space in my heart?  The answer is, yes.  There is some livable space in my heart, but I'm sure I can clear out some of the clutter that I have become accustomed to. 

So my challenge to myself is to de-clutter my heart.  I need to work on weeding out unhealthy thoughts, feelings, memories, etc.  I know that I can't ever forget certain things, but I can choose not to focus on them.  I can't erase past hurts, but I can choose to forgive.  I can't take back harmful words/actions directed at me, but I can choose to give someone another chance.  I can choose to label junk, as "junk"...to stop valuing it, and to put it in the trash where it belongs.

Life truly is about choices.  What will you choose?

Muchness

mad hatter, a photo by **tWo pInK pOSsuMs** on Flickr.

"You used to be much more muchier. You've lost your muchness."
~The Mad Hatter

I love this quote from Alice in Wonderland! And even though it sounds non-sensical, it makes sense. It's Lewis Carroll's version of "Carpe Diem". Lately, I've found myself examining who I am, who I've been, and who I want to be. And I have to ask myself, "Have I lost my muchness?" Am I living life to its fullest?

I like to think that I am. But I also must admit that it's very easy for me to put all of my time and energy into the "here and now" instead of thinking of the long-term. Will my kids remember me as the mom who worked all the time, or the mom who took time to help them with their homework, took them out for ice cream, or read a book with them?

I don't really have any answers, advice, or tutorials on how to keep your "muchness", but I'll be thinking on it. If I come up with any great ideas, I'll be sure to share.

Until then, what do you do to keep your "muchness"?