My Blog

Just turn your head sideways 🙂

As I step over little boy undies, trains, and legos all over the floor to change the channel from a cartoon that had been on for a few minutes already (mind you the boys aren’t actually here now) I had to reflect.  If you would have asked me 20 years ago, or even 10 for that matter, I don’t know that I would have predicted that I’d be here.  I thought I’d know more or have accomplished more.  That’s not to say that I’m very happy with the life I live.

When I was little I wanted to be a ballerina with big boobs.  Someone probably should have told me that I have no grace and that those two things don’t exactly go together.  I think I did fairly well in school.  In high school I pretty much went with the flow and lucked out by having awesome (and smart) friends.  In college I learned a lot about myself through little steps, big jumps, and a few stumbles along the way.  In all honesty, I picked my major because I had to finally decide or I wouldn’t graduate on time.  I had the most credits toward psychology so I went with it.  It had to lead somewhere, right?

I never really came up with a better answer to what I want to be when I grow up.  The list is long on what I thought I might do.  Although I was surprised each time I was actually chosen, I’ve had different jobs that each taught me different lessons.  I’ve had good times and learned what I don’t want to do in the process.  I don’t know if this will be the be all and end all job now but I can say that I really do love my job now.  Working with those little people is refreshing and rewarding.

So as I look around, I realize that I don’t know that much and I haven’t done it all yet but I wouldn’t trade this for anything.  I know that who I am is based on the things I’ve done and experienced.  I’m proud that I am a mom, wife, daughter, friend, sister, aunt, godmom, teacher, co-worker, lego builder, plastic train engineer, college graduate, pro laundry folder, crafter, expert book reader, and so much more.  I’m me and that’s all I can ask for.

Can you guess which one belongs to me?  Am I a bad mom that I wasn’t sure right away?  To my defense, there are way more up on the wall to pick from.  Apparently they did this on a good hair day.

As much as I am so over the snow, apparently not every one is:

I still don’t feel the best so I needed a little something to make me smile… I thought I’d share

In honor of Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week held March 3-9, here are some facts:

– More than 400,000 people in the US have MS

– About 2,500,000 people have MS worldwide

– Diagnosis of MS usually happens between the ages of 20-40

– MS affects women more than men with a ration of 2:1

– MS does not significantly affect ones life span

– Fatigue is the most common symptom in MS

– MS is not contagious

– MS is a progressive disease with no cure

– MS is the most common central nervous system disease among young adults

– The farther from the equator, the more numbers of MS there are

– In a person with MS, their nervous system attacks healthy myelin – Myelin is like the insulation around a wire for the nerves in our brains – Without it, messages can’t get through properly

– MS can be visibly obvious or a silent disease – either way, the symptom are real

– The orange ribbon stands MS awareness and represents hope for a better tomorrow with the chance of being one step closer to a cure

Starting when I was little, Ms. Pat has always just been around.  She was the type of person that was always there, even when she said she was too busy.

As a kid, she was that sweet grandma type person that was quick to congratulate and even quicker to lift you up.

As an adult, I realized how amazing she truly is.  Just hearing little bits of her adventures, I am humbled at all she has done and experienced.

Ms. Pat was someone who would always be anyone’s biggest fan.  She gave all of herself for others.  She had even helped those “old” people, even when she was just as old if not more.  She was the type of person that would drop off food because she had made “too much.”  She would show up to help even when she said she couldn’t or was tired or too old.  She never took a leadership role but would bend over backwards to do anything she could to help.

Sadly, Ms. Pat’s body has decided that it was tired and done.  It will be hard to not have her walk through the door.  It will be hard to not have her hugs or words of encouragement.  It will be hard for many.  It’s no longer hard for her though.  She isn’t in pain anymore.

I know she will have a long list of family members and accomplishments listed in her obituary but if it was a complete list of everything she’s done and everyone that considers her family, she would need the whole paper.

Tell the ones around you what they mean to you.  Show up and be present.  Put others first.  Say thank you.  Open yourself to possibility.  Love freely.  Practice peace.  Hug.

So I’ve spent my weekend sick in bed. This is how the dog decided to spend her weekend… On top of me

Don’t know if I should feel loved or smothered