Tuesday, May 31, 2011

They grow up so fast....

I can't believe that today, I had to send my 5th grader to Science Camp for a whole week!!! Okay, 4 days, but it FEELS long already! Time flies! I remember talking to him last year about going and he was SOOO excited! And this year, that is ALL he could talk about. {Seriously, NON STOP.} But  guess what? Last night, he said he 'felt a little weird about it' and 'wasn't sure about going'. Was someone homesick already? :( He started getting nervous about - who would be his room buddy? And what activities would they be doing? And would he HAVE to do the ropes course? And so on... My poor little guy. We talked about all the fun activities, and mom even told him a story about when she went to Science Camp in 6th grade - on AN ISLAND called Catalina, far, far away... and then we prayed and asked God to give us peace about the trip and talked about all the FUN things there would be to do at camp! And this morning - he got up and was back to excited!! (Although several times I heard himself saying "It's just like school, only longer." And "really mom, it's only 2 days, since I'll see you today, be gone Wed. & Thurs. and then I'll see you Friday." Thanks for making me feel better kiddo. ;-) It was still hard to say goodbye. Here he is all ready to go!:

 Sean and his friend Carson waiting to get on the bus!
 I guess it's just me and little man until Friday!!!
 I suppose we'll find SOMETHING fun to do...;o)
{The school update at 2:45 was that all students arrived to camp safely - just in time for lunch!} I'm trying not to neurotically check my email for camp updates! :):) Sigh... Is it just me? Or is it hard for everyone who has to "let their kids go" for the very first time... how did you deal with it?? Let me know! :)

Monday, May 30, 2011

Memorial Day = Day of Service!

Memorial Day is a day to remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country and those who daily lay their lives on the line to serve our country. Sooo, what better way to honor them than to perform an act of service ourselves? Saddleback did a day of service today and my friends and I were at Rancho Capistrano doing our part! There were over 700 people there this morning!! WOW! Projects ranged from landscaping and window washing to major paint projects. We helped in the tape & painting department. Here are some pictures from the day & of our handy work:

First, the beautiful Rancho Capistrano...

 Shaina and I taping away! We were working in the Sunday school classrooms, prepping them for paint. We taped inside the classroom & the guys taped the hallway. With so many volunteers, things got done really fast!
 Heidi taping like a pro!
 The final product -- before paint that is :o)
 I loved serving with you girls! {Thanks for being on camera duty guys -- next time we'll have to get you in the pics!}:o)


 It was a wonderful opportunity to bond with great friends and meet new people! I even saw some of my former students painting and digging away! It was awesome! I wish we could have done more! And THANK YOU to all the military men and women who serve our country with more than just a broom, or tape. You serve with your life. Those of us back home appreciate the sacrifices you and your families make every day!
Some final 'deep thought bloggage': Today was not only reflective of Memorial Day for me, it also reminded me of why I like to serve in the first place: It ALWAYS brings me closer to God and ALWAYS connects me closer to those I serve with. We may not have done much, we may not have changed the world, but one little corner of the world looks a little better today thanks to all those who came out & gave of their time and love. I truly believe that there are no small acts of service.  In fact, God keeps reminding me lately that life is not all about me and reminding me how good it feels to do something for HIM. My prayer is that I remember to wake up each day and live a life pleasing to Him. {I don’t know about you, but there are SO many temptations and things in this world that try to get in the way!!} But I do know that I am going to try to honor God with whatever it is I do.  Where is that taking me? I don’t know. Today, it was Rancho Capistrano. Tomorrow? I’ll let you know. ;o) 


Sunday, May 8, 2011

Happy Mother's Day - From a Single Mama

Five years ago I was ‘celebrating’ my first Mother’s Day as a single parent. While I’m sure I did something special with my mom and maybe decided to skip cleaning the house that day, the reality is, that when parenting a 2 and 5 yr. old alone – Mother’s Day is pretty much like any other day. People would ask me then ‘How do you do it?’ and I would smile with grace and say, ‘It’s not so bad’, ‘I’m used to it’ or ‘that’s just life. No big deal. I love my kids.’  All of that was true, but at the same time, the REALITY was this: parenting a 2 and 5 yr. old alone is HARD. Their dad saw them about 41 days – that ENTIRE year. Getting divorced meant I couldn’t stay home with my babies & I had to get a job. My day-to-day went something like this: wake up to a busy, and often grumpy, 2 yr. old who didn’t want to go to daycare, so cried and sometimes threw a tantrum until I dropped him off {crying} and got ready to take my Kindergartener to school. I’d walk him to line {if we weren’t running late after all that} and then I’d drive to school. The whole drop off & drive took about 45 minutes – & then I started my day job. I’d teach young minds the value of English and History and answer the same questions 5 times a day and love it. Then I’d do the reverse of my morning routine – pick up 5 yr. old, pick up 2 yr. old and head home to make dinner. We got our nighttime routine down pretty fast – eat dinner, take a bath, read books, go to bed. Most times it went smoothly, sometimes we forgot homework, threw up dinner, had an accident, cried for attention, dealt with daddy issues, or just plain couldn’t sleep. Those hard nights I asked myself ‘How can I do this one more day? I barely made it through THIS day?’ The reality was, I couldn’t. The reality was, for every day I was swarmed with hugs and kisses, there was a day I was overwhelmed. I’d crumple and cry, NOT knowing how I was going to get from one day to the next. The reality was, it was only by God’s grace that I managed to get to the next day. If it wasn’t for 1. My own amazing mother who was a living example of the mom I wanted to be and 2. God’s amazing love for me, I wouldn’t have known how to love my children through this tough time. I would have given up. But I’m so glad I didn’t! Because this has been the best 5 years of my life!!
Because many mornings I woke up with a 2 yr. old cuddled next to me and a 5 yr. old tapping my nose. {Those were the best mornings!}  Because each day became a time of bonding for our little trio. Because each day it got easier and making it through that first year, made me feel like I could get through ANYTHING! Because they make me LAUGH every day. Because their dad now sees them almost twice as much as that first year. Because they became potty trained {yay!}, self sufficient {yay for dressing yourself and making your own breakfast!} and OH SO loving!! Now, at ages 7 and 10 they draw me pictures, are full of endless hugs, kisses and daily acts of love and appreciation. My boys have been known to say things to me such as ‘Let’s let the hardest working person in the house pick the movie tonight. Mom – what do you want to watch?’ and ‘Not all mom’s come to every practice and game. I’m lucky.’  ‘Thanks mom!’ and ‘You make my heart happy’ <3 And the most recent: ‘Mom, if you hear the toaster oven beep in the morning – just ignore it. I’m making you breakfast in bed.’ These boys make EVERY day feel like it’s Mother’s Day! 


This morning I woke up to toast, Raspberry Danish, and Sunny Delight Orange Juice {in a plastic Veggie Tales cup.}  {Love those boys!} <3

 So today, when people ask me ‘How do I do it’ I can answer with grace and a smile: ‘It’s through the grace of God.’ and ‘It’s hard sometimes, but I’m lucky – I have GREAT kids and I LOVE THEM SO MUCH.’ They are worth every minute of sacrifice and every ounce of my love. I try hard to be that woman in Proverbs 31, and a lot of times I fail, but I never, EVER give up. So, 3 cheers to every mother out there that practices the labor of love & sacrifices her heart and time for the love of her children. God Bless You and Happy Mother’s Day! xo

She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. ~Prov. 31

Shared with the lovely readers at Tidy Mom and Tatertots and Jello
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