Uh Oh……Here She comes

Uh Oh……Here She comes!

And barreling before her is a cart full of anxiety, irritability, love, hate, anger, tears, and cravings. Yes, we are talking about Aunt Flo! (as my best friend describes a woman’s menstrual cycle! I suppose Aunt Flo has an accomplice …….PMS!

As many as 90% of women will have an encounter with the emotional, and physical roller coaster we call pms at some point in their lives. And up to 10% will suffer from the severe version of pms, now known as pmdd. That’s it! That’s what’s wrong with me! Ha, if it were only that easy for me. ;)

So, do you often find yourself on that roller coaster each month.  Eating your child’s chocolate stash, biting your husbands head off, crying during the little Mermaid (the 26^th time through) For some woman, it is very mild. Perhaps it is a nice excuse to eat some extra chocolate, speak our minds, or wear jogging pants in public. But for other woman, although they may not have pmdd, their pms is enough to affect their “normal” process of functioning day to day. They’re families often suffer at the ticking of their emotional bomb. Yup….MY family! I tell ya, one minute, I am happy and loving, and then out of nowhere, I am irritable and it’s all his fault. Then I’m crying because he didn’t care enough to care why I was so mean to him 5 minutes ago. Yeah probably because he’s looking for a shield,  running for cover, planning an escape with the kids, praying or even trying not to laugh.

 Of course studies show that a woman with a good diet and exercise and possibly even a calcium supplement have a greater chance of being pms free.  Wow…that seems to be their answer for everything now days. And while I’m sure that may all help, really who wants to diet when their pms~ing right? I know I sure don’t. It’s the ONLY excuse I have to eat junk! The rest is blamed on poor self control!

In all seriousness, I know full and well that there is a great physician waiting for you to reach out and touch Him. He can, and He will heal you, (and me) If we just seek Him out in faith, reach toward heaven and touch His garment. He loves Us, and His plan for us is not to be emotionally unstable. Not even for one week.

Take a look at Luke 8 :43-48

And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her.  She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped. "Who touched me?" Jesus asked. When they all denied it, Peter said, "Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you."   But Jesus said, "Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me."   Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed. Then he said to her, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace."

Isn’t God awesome, how in a modern day world he can still teach us through His classic treasure…..His written promise book, the Holy Bible!

Birthday Blessings

As I awoke the morning of my birthday, it was as if it was any other day in the house full of young boys. Just as any morning, I’m even lucky to get a “good morning” from the half awoken children that are preparing themselves to sit through yet another 8 hour day of sitting while listening to someone talk about subjects they could care less about. Pardon me, if they weren’t leaping for joy to sing happy birthday.

Fear not, for it is my day, and it will NOT be ruined by anyone. We shall continue on with the plans for the day. The big boys have consumed their coffee and I do manage to get an “I love you” from each of them as they venture to the bus. My Baely, so sweet and awake each morning, arises and gives me a hug large enough for the four of them. (I guess he had his brothers’ back) The youngest of the crew continue to get ready and I escort them to school. I am so excited for the day ahead. 

The plan was to meet with my dear friend Lisa, and hang for the day. We are also to pick up our sweet friend Kim along the day for lunch. I wanted my best friend to come and enjoy the day with us, but in all reality, it just isn’t her type of fun. She’s quiet, meek, and gentle. And well, Lisa and Kim are talkative, goofy and obnoxious. But how blessed I am to have such great Jesus following woman in my life.. So, well the bff says she’s not interested because we ladies “talk to much”…ok, she’s right! That’s ok, we will hang out tomorrow!

Lisa and I had breakfast, strolled through the grocery store (yes that is what mother’s do for fun). We were in route to wherever we felt like going when we U-turned into World Market. What a neat market that was, and again we strolled through leisurely at our own pace, no schedule, no rush, no fuss. The Christian book store in Ann Arbor is quite sad; we visited it none the less.  Made our purchases and headed to pick up our dear friend Kim for lunch. We enjoyed some warm soup and salad as we laughed and giggled our priceless hour away. Heading back to Dundee, we stopped at Silver Bells for some ornament shopping. Then before we knew it, the day was over and it was time to pick up our children from school. 

While to some the day may not have seemed fun or exciting. There is something to be said about a relaxing day of strolling through at your own pace. How sweet of a friend to cancel her entire day to wander aimlessly around Ann Arbor with you.

Back to reality……I pick up the boys, something is clearly wrong with Brandon, but of course he is 17, has life all figured out, and doesn’t want to discuss it with his meddling mother. My birthday is the day that we traditionally put up our Christmas tree. I ask Brandon to retrieve the Christmas items from the attic (normally he enjoys these tasks). He brought down one box, and slugged himself back upon the couch. Baely and Cole began to get a bit rowdy as young boys do. My joy is quickly brought to a halt, and I feel the anxiety rising in me. I surely can’t get mad at my boys for being….well, boys! So I departed the house 40 minutes early and headed for my sisters for a visit. I then was supposed to wait for a friend to meet up with and go to a chocolate party! Yes chocolate! I drove to my mother’s to discuss my gift (per HER request) The chocolate party plans fell through, so I visited for a bot. Planned my shopping trip to Lifeway with mom, and proceeded home. 

In my perfect little bubble, I totally believe that my family will have the tree up when I get there, and all that will be left will be to decorate. Wrong! The tree stem is missing, AGAIN!!! This isn’t even funny. This is really the 2^nd one we have lost. I mean, come on already….how do we lose ANOTHER tree stem??? So now I am just sitting in the middle of a home full of Christmas décor strung from one end to the other. Phil decides he is going to present me with my present. Even though I already bought myself a pair of boots and deemed them my gift from him. I opened that perfectly wrapped Kay box to find a beautiful birthstone Pandora charm. How sweet right? Well, if I was journaling in May, you would know that I asked for a Pandora bracelet for Mother’s day and never received it. Mainly due to financial reasons and my husband’s lack of knowledge about how affordable they can be. I am completely over it, and know that I’ll get one one day. I suppose it just took me a bit by surprise to receive a charm for a bracelet that I did not even possess yet. Not to mention, the knuckle head spent his gas money for the week on it. So later while discussing my pretty little charm, my sweet husband expressed the importance of getting the birthstone charm, ON my birthday. How does one become angry with that nonsense?

I all reality, I had a super blessed day. I am surrounded my some amazing woman that truly love me for me, Instabilities and all. My husband and boys are clearly the average chaotic, illogical. Loving, best group of guys you can ask for. Were they perfect for my bubble? NO! Do they love and appreciate me, even if they can’t always display it? YES!

I am blessed to have shared another birthday on this earth. I pray that I can be less wasteful with this year, and work hard to do the will of my Father in heaven!

Psalm 139: 13-14

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

Your works are wonderful,

I know that full well.

I’m doing everything the books say, and my kids aren’t turning out like the ones in the books!!!

You receive the great news that you’re going to be a mother. You are overwhelmed with gratitude. What will he/she be like? What will you name him/her? Will he/she have mommy’s smile, or daddy’s height? You read every book, magazine article, and pamphlet you can get your pregnant little hands on. You eat right, exercise; listen to labor and delivery horror stories. You carry and nurture that little bundle of joy growing inside you. 10 months later, yes 40 long (like never ending) weeks later, the big day arrives. The cramps are stronger, things are starting to progress. 14 hours later you are announced the proud mother of a beautiful new baby. You freeze until you hear the music of that first cry. (It’s quite likely that this will be the one of the only times that cry sounds like music)

Now you are home, and your family is complete. Pure bliss…right? Your baby is perfect in every way. He/she begins to reach the milestones as you read about. He/she first holds his/her head up, then rolls over, begins to crawl, then walks, and so on… You survive the terrible two’s with minimal professional help. And you’re on to school years. Now all of those great attributes you’ve instilled into your child will be over casted by the influence of every “cool” kid in school. You really think you’re able to stay ahead of the game until middle school. Grades begin to plummet, attitudes are undesirable, and they are beginning to develop an attraction to the opposite sex. You quick, run out and purchase a whole new library of self-help parenting books. You know the kind that says that their way is the only proven way effective in raising well rounded faith based children. You can creatively correct, challenge your kid til Friday, institute reality discipline, or just merely blow! While all of these books provide a wealth of inspiration, knowledge, and resource, the truth is we as parents should not be fully relying on the information contained within those pages. There is a much greater resource

.

The Holy Spirit and all of the words held within the pages of the Bible. It isn’t just about instructions on how we can raise well rounded, productive, graceful children of God. It is really about how WE are to live as well rounded, productive, graceful children of God. Therefore reflecting that very image upon our children. Throughout their entire life, we cannot grow weary in our faith, in our walk or in our boldness! God’s word is infallible, and by following it we too shall be without fail! 

I have joked for years now about the very title here. Only to be criticizing my own efforts. I have fallen short many times. I have moved laterally in my walk with the Lord, therefor allowing things of which are unholy, and by this behavior, I have to take full responsibility in the short comings of my children. My boys are “good” boys. They don’t smoke (although, I have recently learned a couple have tried it) they don’t drink, don’t skip school (even if they aren’t doing their homework) don’t do drugs, aren’t having sex, they attend church. Great kids right? Why is the standard set so low for great kids to be great? While they aren’t out doing these things, (or any of the things I did at their ages) what are they doing in their own lives to strengthen their relationship with Christ? What are they doing to positively impact a lost society of school aged children? What are they doing to lead their friends and family to the Savior? Is the question here, what are THEY doing, or shouldn’t it be what am I doing? The key is to dig deep into Gods word. Learn how to live by His word, and therefor reflect an image that your children will have no option but to mirror. I have already wasted so many valuable years in my children. Don’t waste them in yours. Be steadfast now! But if you too are like me and find yourself “getting it” after your children are growing. Fear not. God placed them in our care for a purpose. He entrusts you with His children. Continue to seek His guidance, in prayer and in study. He will direct your path! And know, that if you have instilled just the smallest bit of foundation into them, they WILL return to it. God’s word says so. It just might be a bumpier road along the way!

Train up a Child in the way He should go, and when he grows old he will not turn from it.

Proverbs 22:6

Thanksgiving Feast

And so the big day has come, Thanksgiving. A day to reflect on all that we are thankful for, or a day to pig out on as much food as we can fit into our bodies? Well it is quite possible that we have managed to do both here. What a great idea this year to have the turkey cooked off site. I had a nice relaxing day. The kids and I peeled some sweet and Idaho potatoes, prepared them for cooking. Dumped some green beans and mushroom soup in a dish and that completed our slavery for this great feast. (don’t worry, it catches up to me later) About 5 o’clock the family begins to flock in and all the wonderful fixings arrive. The turkey, ham, kielbasa, stuffing, pies, breads, drinks, and so much more. What a feast! I’m getting full just writing about it. Whatever happen to a good ol’ turkey on Thanksgiving day anyway? Did we really need a ham, and kielbasa? There was so much meat, I’m not a vegetarian, and even I was beginning to get offended! J

We ate until we couldn’t eat anymore. Then we returned for rounds two and three. The family gathered, ate, talked, laughed, and even took pictures. Everyone left, and there I was sitting in a kitchen FULL of dirty dishes. Including the roaster that I so gracefully did NOT cook the turkey in. I grumbled and I complained as I cleaned that mess all by myself. 3 days later, I was STILL scrapping the burnt stuffing out of that roaster pan. “Are they kidding me with this mess???” “Next year, we’re having it at their house, and I’M leaving the mess…that’s right!”

Then I finished, and began to reflect on the REALNESS of the holiday. I am grateful to have a home to host the holidays in, I am grateful to have a family and great friends to host the holiday with. I am grateful to have a wholesome meal in my belly. I will gladly embrace a kitchen full of dirty dishes to be able to enjoy the family that God has graciously blessed me with. Either that, or I will invest in aluminum and paper!

God Bless you and your family this Season of Thanksgiving!