Synonyms: quality of emitting, reflecting, radiating: brightness, brilliance, radiance, glow, luminescence, etc.
.-.-.-.
They glisten.
They shine.
Creating something so divine.
.
They hang from above.
Various heights.
Showing off one of God’s great mights!
.
They radiate colors.
All rainbow galore.
All colors, not just four.
.
They show true brilliance.
Rainbows aglow.
A dancing vibrant show.
.-.-.-.
My grandma had these prism crystals she had hung up in the dining room. They hung in a window that got wonderful afternoon sun. That I would always disturb the prisms and make the rainbows dance all over the room.
My grandma always knew when I would visit because the rainbows would be dancing still once she got home.
Sadly my grandma passed away, but I was able to take the rainbows. I had them hanging at my last house, but they’ve been in storage a while now. Hopefully someday soon I can hang them in a window and have the rainbows dance once again. My eldest daughter would love that.
Enjoy your Monday. The weekend was a struggle, but I’m trying to continue pushing through.
When all seemed lost…”You are doing a great job raising your kids.”
That’s what all moms want to hear when we are struggling.
Being a mom is the hardest job ever! I’m not just a mom. I’m a stay at home mom. I do everything. I cook from scratch. I do all the laundry. I keep the house clean. I paint almost everyday. I homeschool my two eldest kids. My family is never hungry. Never dirty. Never…
But some days I feel like I’m failing. Like I’m screwing up their lives. That I’m not doing enough for them.
And when moms begin to spiral down that black hole, there’s only one thing that helps bring us out of it. Some stranger telling us that “we are doing a great job!” Or “hold in there mama, you are doing great.” Not a family member or a friend. But someone who doesn’t know anything about us. Because they see our hard work, without knowing anything.
Many a times I’ve begun to spiral and I’ve been blessed to be told I’m doing great. It helps so much.
So if you see a mom struggling today. Take a short moment in your day, and stop and tell her she is doing a great job. Maybe she doesn’t desperately need it right there. But eventually in the future when she needs to hear it, she will remember your words. One way of another your words will help her. But to a mom that is indeed struggling, and spiraling, you will really bless her. Don’t feel bad if she starts to tear up randomly. Because all of her self doubt and worry of not being a good mom, will be swept away with the simple phrase.
“You are doing a good job, mama.”
(I’m tearing up remembering when it happened to me.)
Synonyms: come to a climax, come to a crescendo, peak, climax, come to the end with, etc.
.-.-.-.-.
Why are you rushing,
Constantly brushing,
Important people off.
Slow down!
Life won’t pass you by,
It’s not just about finding a guy.
Enjoy the sights,
Enjoy the heights!
Growing up will come real quick.
Should have been patient.
Those guys were just a few some,
If you waited he could have come.
Now at thirty-two,
Your dreams have come true!
He is perfect.
At twenty-two,
You found your crescendo,
Finally taking life slow.
.-.-.-.-.
My advice to my teenage self would have been to slow down. Unless you are one of the few lucky ones, most people don’t find love at fifteen.
And if I had been patient, I might have met him at fifteen. We were in the same sport and at same sporting events. We lived close enough. I would drop my brother off at our cousin’s house, and it was just down the block from him. He worked right around the corner from where I grew up.
But by the grace of God I didn’t miss him, by being impatient. I just met him later in life. Meeting him was at the peak of life. Now I’m enjoying the lowering decent into my adult life. Of kids and adventures.
Tell us about your favorite pair of shoes, and where they’ve taken you.
Three different pairs of shoes came to mind.
First: My black combat boots.
Those shoes were throughout my teenage years. I wore them everywhere. They were so comfy. They laced up, but had a zipper. They went mid shin. Oh! I loved those shoes. They made me feel confident.
They took me to several different places. They took me to trivia nights. I was always so nervous to go to trivia. I’m not a social butterfly, but I wanted to try and work on my social skills. Those boots went with me.
I wanted to go to a Ball. (Yes. Think princess) but I had to stand before a panel of judges and say why I thought I should be selected as a Pasadena princess. I wore those combat boots. I looked cute, but compared to the other girls around me I looked tough. Haha! To help end your curiosity, I was not selected. But I still got to go to the ball, just because I tried. Getting ready was more fun than actually being there. That was too much socializing for me.
I wore those boots when I had coach banquets. They helped me walk into a situation I did not want to be in. Public speaking. Terrible. But my shoes were cute.
The shoes finally died. I really do miss that shoe. Maybe I’ll get another pair one day. But I got those from Nordstrom rack. They were on sale for $50. Normally $180. I can’t afford shoes like that anymore.
Second: My wedge sandle heels.
I love these heels. They are the most comfortable high heeled shoe I own. The straps are a light tan color. The wedge is light brown. They are quite tall. About three inches. So I’m taller than my husband when I wear them.
But I feel so pretty and fancy when I wear those shoes. My posture is also perfect when I wear heels.
Fun story. My mom and I got the same shoes at the same time. I tried them on and said they were so comfy, that my mom found a pair, rusty orange straps, and she thought they were super comfy too. So we got them together. I don’t think she has them anymore. But I do!
They are currently in storage. But occasionally I wish I had them currently. Some outfits would just pop a bit more with those shoes. My confidence would be back. I’m not one, but some women can wear the heels and deal with their toddlers. I can’t. My toddler is super fast and sneaky. Heels would just make it that much harder.
So as long as my feet stop growing with having babies, I’ll wear them again. At some point.
But they have taken me to dances, family weddings, dates (with hubby), all events where I felt the most fancy, just because I could dance the night away in those shoes. (without any pain!)
Third: My black short snow boots.
Its silly. But I’ve had those boots for so many different milestones in my adult life. I had them as my first daughter grew up. I wore them 95% of my pregnancy with my son. Also with my newest daughter.
I hiked trails, our old property, sledding, snowman, snowball fights, etc. And the boots still live on today. Merrel footwear is awesome! Expensive!! Buy them on sale, but they last for several years. Instead of buying a pair of shoes every two months for $12, it makes more sense to spend the price tag and not buy shoes for several years. (Not a sales pitch, just like the shoes!!) I like to use things until they are falling apart. And even then I still keep them sometimes. My husband usually has to throw them away, because I can’t seem to part with them.
But yeah. Those black boots are my favorite! But there is no snow…so they are too in storage. I can’t wait to have a closet big enough to have everything out! And me and my daughters can have a fashion show in mommy’s closet.
I’m excited for that day. I really want an extra closet in the house. And I’ll put all of the clothes I’ve been hanging onto. And for chores my daughter will get tickets. The tickets will allow them to wear clothes from that closet. But not to keep.
Just a way for them to “shop” without actually spending their money. Instead it’s hard work “buying” them.
I don’t know if that will be a thing, maybe they will just raid my closet like I used to do to my mom and sisters. (With permission) but good memories.
I think my most used shoes right now are my slippers. I wear them everyday, for almost 80% of my day. They are old, flat, and uncomfortable, but free. I like free.
Enjoy your Thursday! Just finished making my tortillas. Hubby wants Chicken Tortilla Soup tonight!!
What is something others do that sparks your admiration?
Soldiers coming home. That’s what I thought of when I read the prompt. Strangely, soldiers coming home to surprise their loved ones have been in my short videos lately. Those videos always make me cry; I always tear up.
I’ve never had this experience. No one in my family went into the military. Which I know was a huge bummer to my brothers. But became of eyes, asthma, etc it was not an option for them. (they have new passions now.)
But I admire all the military. That they do the hardest job. They leave their loved ones to protect us and our loved ones.
So I continue to watch the solider coming home videos. Even though I’m always in need of tissues. Because it is a reminder that what they are doing is worth admiring.
So admire them, thank them, care for them. They deserve it. You are free because they protect.
Synonyms: a state of eternal punishment and damnation into which a sinful and unpenitent person passes after death.
…
Escape this!
Fire and darkness,
Waits for you.
Perdition is not the only option.
Turn to God!
Accept His hand,
Ask Him to come,
And make you new.
Live life for His good news.
Spread the Word to all,
Everyone come.
Live eternally in heaven.
Peace and light,
Waits for you.
…
My faith has been reignited within the last few days. A pastor who I’ve been watching said, “Focus on habit and not feelings.” So I will turn away from what has been keeping me back and away from God. And I will put God back front and center!
I’ve been not really living a very Christ first, life these last eight years. I’ve not really listened to a sermon for eight years. Sermons can be heard every day of the week not just Sunday, I just discovered. Haha. I’ve just been going through the motions of being a Christian. But with my faith being awakened. I’ve realized how the devil must have snuck into a door I thought I had closed from my past. And he’s been lurking making me not living fully.
Like I relied on God being there for me when I needed Him. But not that He needs me to spread his Word too. And that He’s always with me, not just when He is needed.
But it’s amazing. I have more energy in a day. I’m not exhausted by bedtime. I am less frustrated and angry. I have more compassion for others. I’m enjoying reading my Bible. Sharing what I learn with my mom. It’s amazing when you restructure your life back, with God first. That life gets better.
What’s the first impression you want to give people?
People just get the shield I throw up in social situations.
My first impression is not by my design. I am still socially uncomfortable. I’m not awkward I’ve come to find out, I’m uncomfortable.
So as much as I want to give a great first impression, I usually am quiet, alone, and terrified.
I probably look angry or annoyed to others. That my resting face was glaring and now it’s scared.
So yes I would love my first impression to be confident, or togetherness, or calmness. But instead it’s my shield of I’m uncomfortable and I don’t want to be here. Haha!
But having kids has really helped me. I can’t have my shield up when I’m with my kids. So if my kids are with me, I am less terrified and more focused on them with a hint of acknowledgement that people are there too.
So as much I love quiet alone time at home, in social gatherings I need my kids around. Because through the years I’ve gone back to being quiet with grown ups.
I don’t know how to be around people. I haven’t needed to living up north. But going to church last Sunday was a huge wake up call, that all the hard work I did before is gone. I started to have an anxiety attack again. But I was able to trick my brain into still functioning because I was holding my baby girl. I could give her 100% of my focus.
So…I guess what I’m saying from this is don’t be discouraged if you are someone who is socially awkward or like me, uncomfortable. You will evenly find something that helps you. For me it is my kids. I know for others it has been a pet, topics, food, etc. maybe all you need is something tangible to touch to keep you grounded in gatherings. Mine before was doodling. I would be drawing in a corner somewhere. This is still my go to if my kids are not around. But mostly it’s because I love to draw. But try different things. I hope and pray that all challenged social people find the niche. Also I pray that confident social people go easy on us. It takes more then just throwing us into social situations to make us be immersed in people. But to us, we are drowning in anxiety if you do this.
So for both sides. Be patient. It can get better with hard work.
Also. Sometimes people’s first impressions are not the truth. That’s it’s just their shield that protects them. So don’t write someone off after the first meeting. That it can take a few for them to show you their true first impression.
Do lazy days make you feel rested or unproductive?
When it is a well deserved lazy day I enjoy it throughly. I just lay around and rest. Because I deserve it. I do so much in a day that I deserve a down day every two weeks; sometimes only once a month.
But the days where I have to be lazy…where my kid is sick, where it’s raining or snowing, where I didn’t get enough sleep; I feel like a slacker. That I’m not doing enough.
Like yesterday morning, all from scratch, I made 4 batches breakfast potatoes, eggs & sausages, waffles, strawberry jam, strawberry paste, bread, froze the avocados…and I still felt lazy to make PB&Js for lunch. And I again felt lazy when we had leftovers for dinner.
I just can’t seem to make my days easy. Because when I do, I feel like I’m not doing enough.
But it seems like emptier days are heading my way. Now with an hour of open time, I’m going to do craft projects with my kiddos. Or science projects. Or reading books. Etc. I’m finding the good. Not that I will have an hour of free time for myself. But that I’m going to use it on my kids in a new way.
What’s a topic or issue about which you’ve changed your mind?
This is not true. Not all baby clothes are keepers.
Buttons… I despise buttons on the back of clothes for infants and toddlers. Snaps, good. Pull overs, good. Zippers….not infants but yes for toddlers. Buttons…nope.
Boys button up shirts are fine. But who decided that buttons as the clasps on infant clothes was a good idea. Did that person ever try to button clothes on an infant? Probably not.
I don’t mind buttons as decorative on the back, but it better be snaps underneath.
I used to like all clothes. When I just had my first daughter it was fine. I had time for the buttons. Now being on third child, there’s no time for buttons. Haha!
It’s a simple thing, to most. But to me it’s definitely a big thing. Haha!
emily2jane 